The restoration of the Cotswolds Canals offers opportunities for learning a wide range of skills. The National Heritage Training Academy (South West) is a partnership of local colleges and other training providers, which are working with members of the Canals Partnership, to provide the training needed to make the restoration programme possible.

Canal restoration is a complex task requiring many skilled trades. The unique setting of the Cotswolds Canals requires not only traditional construction skills such as stone-masonry, brick and lime mortar work, but also knowledge of rural skills such as dry stone walling, coppicing and hedge-laying. The National Heritage Academy (SW) comprises local colleges in Stroud and Cirencester, plus the Royal Agricultural College, The Woodchester Mansion Trust and other local providers. They have teamed up to make available training courses that will be needed by contractors, volunteers and businesses within the area, who will be involved with the Canals restoration.

The range of courses available is growing steadily to match the needs of the project. They includes topics as diverse as archaeology, machinery operation and volunteer management, the aim being to ensure that anyone wishing to work on the project can obtain the skills they need to play a full and active part.

If you would like to find out more about training opportunities connected with the Canals restoration, and the work of the Academy, please contact William Staniforth at the Royal Agricultural College on 01285 889872 or Graham Thompson on 01285 889873

National Heritage Training Academy (SW)

National Heritage Training Academy (SW) - website

Hedge-laying is one of the many training courses available

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