Chester keeps timber skills alive

Regeneration body Chester Renaissance has successfully bid for more than £100,000 of funding to ensure traditional wood joinery continue to be taught.

The grant, from the Heritage Lottery Fund's Skills for the Future project, will train four apprentices over a four-year period.

Under the scheme, supported by Cheshire West & Chester Council and West Cheshire College, the apprentices will gain hands-on experience of their craft by working with local heritage-skilled businesses during four rotations of three months each.

They will also spend one day a week working towards an NVQ Level 3 at West Cheshire College.

Rita Waters, chief executive of Chester Renaissance, said: "We are absolutely delighted that our bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund has been successful and we will now work to finalise details of the course and offer the first placement in January 2011.

"I hope that the apprenticeships we have secured will revive interest in heritage skills as well as providing young people with the opportunity to carve out a successful and long-standing career."