A future in the past: Unlocking a career in Britain's built heritage.

This study is concerned with the skills shortages and gaps that currently exist within Britain's Built Heritage sector. Specifically, the research explores how perceptions, image and culture affect the number of young people entering into professional roles in building conservation. Qualitative research and a constructivist grounded theory approach were used to collect data through a series of in-depth interviews with a selective sample of young professionals in building conservation, career advisors and university course providers. Detailed analysis through a systematic process of coding, categorisation and theoretical development led to a second phase of data collection in the form of a case study based in a secondary school with year 9 students. The analysis led to findings that are grounded within the experiences of the interviewees and school students. These findings have highlighted that the sector lacks both visibility and identity which significantly affects the promotion of careers in Built Heritage among young people. It has shown that a lack of identity causes difficulties during information searches and hinders attempts effectively to promote the sector. The findings have also exposed the difference between both the nature of work and more feminine culture that exists within those careers involved in the care for historic buildings and the more masculine culture that exists within the sector's host and current main recruitment route, the Construction Industry. The research has drawn attention to the lack of educational routes and consistent career paths for the Built Heritage sector and offers solutions to improve the situation. This study has worked closely with professionals in the sector, key stakeholders, and young people in secondary education, in order to address these areas and has produced a strategy to target recruitment into the sector. Further to this, the research findings have been warmly received by specialists within the field who have endorsed the findings considerable contribution and confirmed the value of the research.