Lincoln Cathedral is celebrating triple success in the North Notts College Construction Awards 2016.

An awards ceremony on 15th March recognised the hard work of the construction apprentices, and awards were presented to the top achievers.
Lincoln Cathedral trainees took two of the top awards.

Adam Coulson was awarded Apprentice of the Year in Brickwork.

Sophia Robinson took the overall award of Construction Apprentice of the Year for her work in site and bench joinery.

Lincoln Cathedral Works Department received special recognition in the employers’ category, “for their continuous high standards and commitment to teaching, learning and assessment.”

Adam Coulson and Sophia Robinson came to Lincoln Cathedral as trainees under the Heritage Lottery Fund “Skills for the Future” scheme. They each achieved NVQ Level 3 in Heritage Skills and in their individual trades, and are now on track for careers in Heritage construction.

Cathedral Project Supervisor Allan Toyne, who was the mentor and NVQ Assessor for the heritage module of the joinery qualification said,
“The HLF scheme enabled the Cathedral to take an active role in securing the future of our heritage trades. Adam and Sophia came with high aspirations and enormous enthusiasm, and the Cathedral team really enjoyed working alongside them to help them develop their skills and knowledge. We are proud of what they have achieved.”

The “Skills for the Future” scheme, which finished at the end of 2015, provided advanced training in heritage construction skills for sixteen trainees over a period of five years. The Cathedral delivered the scheme in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council.

Works Manager Carol Heidschuster said, “Training the next generation of craftsmen and craftswomen has always been an essential part of the way Lincoln Cathedral works. We are dependent on external funding to make this happen.

We are enormously grateful to the HLF and Lincolnshire County Council. We had sixteen exceptional learners, who used this wonderful opportunity as a springboard into their chosen careers. The scheme has now ended and this year we will not be able to take on any new trainees. However, we are actively looking for funding for the future.”