Career Changer · Adults

A skilled career in heritage crafts. Start here.

CraftGate runs the UK’s structured route into heritage crafts for adults. Screened admissions, a placement alongside a working practitioner, an NOCN Foundation Award, and destination support to secure the work at the other end.

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Who this is for

Adults who want to move into heritage construction trades as a profession. No prior heritage experience needed. Self-funded, with bursary support where available. This is not a hobby course - see passion learner for weekend and short-form experiences.

Mid-career professionals

Architects, conservationists, surveyors, estate managers whose work involves historic buildings and who want to add hands-on craft skills to their professional practice.

Trade changers

Bricklayers, joiners, roofers moving from mainstream construction into heritage work. Your existing skills accelerate what you need to learn here.

Career changers

People with professional experience in other fields who want to work with their hands in a skilled trade. No construction background needed - the foundation pathway and placement are designed to get you there.

How it works - six steps

  1. 01

    Choose your craft track

    Browse the nine heritage craft tracks and their career pages. Read about the work, watch the interviews, look at the earnings and progression routes.

  2. 02

    Complete the foundation pathway

    Work through the same six-module online foundation as every CraftGate student - conservation principles, materials, tools, techniques, and career routes. Module 1 is free and open to everyone. Register (free) to continue through Modules 2–6. Around 5–6 hours at your own pace.

  3. 03

    Screening conversation

    A candid conversation with a member of the CraftGate team. We’ll talk through your background, what you want from the placement, and what to expect from the craft and the working conditions. It’s also your chance to ask us anything before you commit.

  4. 04

    Pay the commitment deposit

    Pay the commitment deposit to confirm your place and unlock your placement application. This is deducted from your total tuition - it’s not an extra cost on top. Get in touch for the current pricing schedule.

  5. 05

    Placement with a working practitioner

    8–12 weeks embedded with a CraftGate-verified host. Real work, real materials, four structured check-ins including a midpoint review. Destination planning begins from day one, not week eight.

  6. 06

    Secured destination and alumni support

    CraftGate works to secure your first heritage-sector destination - apprenticeship, employment, or self-employed route - before your placement ends. NOCN Foundation Award issued on completion. 24 months of alumni support follow.

Tuition, by craft track

Tuition is fixed per craft. The non-refundable commitment deposit is paid after your screening conversation and deducted from your total tuition. Balance payable before placement start. What's included: foundation pathway, skills assessment, placement matching, structured check-ins, destination support, NOCN Foundation Award, 24-month alumni programme. Not included: travel, accommodation, personal tools and PPE. Get in touch for the current pricing schedule.

Specialist tier

Specialist

Heritage Roofing

Pricing on request

Stained Glass Conservation

Pricing on request

Core tier

Core

Stonemasonry

Pricing on request

Lime Plastering

Pricing on request

Heritage Timber & Joinery

Pricing on request

Heritage Brickwork

Pricing on request

Blacksmithing & Heritage Metalwork

Pricing on request

Entry tier

Entry

Dry Stone Walling

Pricing on request

Cob Building

Pricing on request

Common questions

Do I need any prior heritage-craft experience?›
No. The six-module foundation pathway covers conservation philosophy, materials, tools, techniques, and career routes before you arrive on a placement. If you already have relevant trade skills, we’ll factor that in at screening.
Can I do this alongside a current job?›
The foundation pathway is self-paced online. The 8–12 week placement is full-time, so most learners schedule it around a career break or resignation. If you need to stage it differently, raise it at screening - a small number of flexible placements exist.
What happens if I withdraw?›
The commitment deposit is non-refundable (its purpose is to protect the host). Beyond that, the refund policy depends on when you withdraw and why - full written policy is sent with the commitment agreement. Consumer Rights Act protections apply.
Is there financial support?›
CITB-registered hosts may be able to claim a short qualification grant independently of CraftGate. Talk to us at screening about your circumstances and we’ll point to anything currently available - schemes change year to year.
What happens after my placement?›
CraftGate works to secure a confirmed destination - apprenticeship, employment, or supported self-employed route - before your placement ends.
How is this different from the 16–25 pathway?›
The 16–25 pathway is free to the learner and funded through host subscriptions. The career-changer route is self-funded, adult-only, and has mandatory screening - none of which applies to the 16–25 side. The learning content is identical in Phase 1; Phase 2 adds a skills-assessment acceleration for adults with prior trade experience.
Who are the hosts?›
Every host is a working heritage practitioner - self-employed master craftspeople, conservation specialists, heritage-division contractors. All vetted. You see placement listings and the host detail before matching.

Not ready to register?

We're happy to answer questions first. Drop a line about where you are in your thinking and what you're trying to work out. Response within five working days.

We respond to career-changer enquiries within five working days.