Your Future
After Your Placement
By the end of your placement, CraftGate will have worked with you and your host to secure your next step wherever possible. For most students, that means an apprenticeship, a direct employment offer, or a route into further structured training. Here is how to act on what comes next - and what CraftGate continues to do for you.
RIGHT NOW
Completing Your Placement - What You Already Have
CraftGate Foundation Award
Your pathway completion and placement are recognised by the CraftGate Foundation Award (NOCN validation in progress). This is the first heritage construction qualification on your CV.
Your host reference
Your host organisation provides a written reference on completion of your placement, describing your skills, attitude, and readiness for the next step.
Your placement record
Your CraftGate portfolio documents your placement: the skills you practised, the projects you contributed to, and the feedback you received.
CraftGate Alumni - 24 Months of Support
Once your placement ends, you become a CraftGate alumnus. That is not an honorary title - it is a relationship with a named contact at CraftGate, a check-in every three months for the next two years, and a route back to us if something goes wrong in your apprenticeship, your employment, or your early career. The heritage sector is small and the apprenticeship system is imperfect. When things wobble, we want you to have someone to call. That is what CraftGate is here for, after your placement as much as during it.
NOW
Your Secured Destination - Where You’re Going Next
You have an apprenticeship offer
CraftGate has secured an apprenticeship with your host or another heritage employer. Your placement demonstrated your commitment; now you’re employed and training.
You have a direct employment offer
Some placements lead directly to employment rather than a formal apprenticeship. You’re working, earning, and building skills on the job.
Your destination is still being confirmed
CraftGate is actively working with your host and other employers in your region to confirm your next step. This process typically takes 2–4 weeks after placement completion.
Try another craft
Not every placement leads to a career in that specific craft - and that’s fine. You can apply for a second placement in a different craft track. Your Foundation Award and reference carry forward.
6 TO 12 MONTHS
Your First Year in the Sector - Getting Qualified
NVQ Level 2 Heritage Skills
The standard entry-level qualification for heritage construction, typically achieved through your apprenticeship.
CSCS Heritage Skilled Worker Card
The industry-standard proof that you’re qualified to work on heritage buildings. Required for most site access.
SPAB Working Parties
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings runs practical working parties on real buildings. Excellent for hands-on experience beyond your employer.
King’s Foundation Courses
Short courses in heritage building crafts at Highgrove, highly respected in the sector.
Historic England Apprenticeships
Historic England offers specialist heritage apprenticeship opportunities.
1 TO 3 YEARS
Building a Practice - Establish Yourself in the Sector
NVQ Level 3 Heritage Skills
The next step beyond Level 2, demonstrating independent competence in your craft.
SAP Heritage Programmes
Specialist Assessment Procedures for heritage crafts - the gold standard for conservation practitioners.
Craft body certification
DSWA, BSMGP, BABA, and other craft-specific professional bodies offer certification and membership.
Weald & Downland Fellowship
Postgraduate programmes in timber building conservation and historic building repair.
IHBC Associate Membership
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation - for those pursuing advisory and management roles.
5 TO 15 YEARS
The Long Game - Become a Master Craftsperson
Heritage Construction Specialist Apprenticeship
Level 5 apprenticeship for those leading complex heritage projects.
MSc Timber Building Conservation
University of York / Weald and Downland - the academic gold standard.
Become a CraftGate host
The best way to give back: host the next generation of heritage craftspeople through CraftGate.
NVQ Assessor & Trainer
Train and assess the next generation of practitioners.
Senior skills grants
Heritage Lottery Fund, Pilgrim Trust, and other funders support senior practitioners developing specialist skills.
Our Commitment
What CraftGate commits to
CraftGate secures destinations for placement students - apprenticeships, employment, or further structured training - working alongside hosts from Week 8 of each placement. Where a destination cannot be secured by the end of placement, CraftGate continues to work with the student. And for 24 months after placement ends, every CraftGate alumnus has a named contact at CraftGate, a quarterly check-in, and a route back to us if something goes wrong in their early career. Our responsibility does not end when a placement does.
Not sure where to go next?
Talk to us. CraftGate doesn't end when your placement does.
Email office@craftgate.org