To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what action his Department is taking in conjunction with public agencies and other interested parties to stimulate traditional skills development in the heritage construction industry. (150092)

ConstructionSkills is the lead Sector Skills Council for the heritage construction industry. ConstructionSkills is working with a range of public agencies to stimulate traditional skills development. The National Heritage Training Group, which is supported by ConstructionSkills, has a UK wide remit to provide assistance with all aspects of recruiting, training, and qualifying the built heritage sector workforce. A number of measures are being taken by ConstructionSkills, the National Heritage Training group and others to improve the qualifications and delivery of heritage skills. These include the training of FE trainers, the development of a Heritage Skills NVQ at level 3, development of occupational standards in Architectural Conservation, mentoring programmes, Regional Heritage Action Groups, and the establishment of Heritage Skills Academies. In addition there is a programme of marketing and promotional work, including the ConstructionSkills ‘Make Your Mark’ pack that that promotes construction skills careers to secondary school students.