News / construction
Bedminster trainee plasterer paving way for women in the industry
The construction industry is largely male dominated, with 99 per cent of on-site workers being male.
Karen Skeats, from Bedminster, is paving the way for women in the industry as one of a few female students currently training in the art of lime plastering.
This is just one of the traditional skills Karen is picking up as part of a course which is the first of its kind in the UK.
When Karen is qualified in plastering, she will be helping to revive traditional building skills in the construction and heritage construction industry.
Karen Skeats is paving the way for women in the construction industry – photo: carringtonLIME
After a challenging few years, Karen, who works part time in mental health services, decided that she needed to make a change in her life. She wanted to do something practical.
The 37-year-old found joy in restoring her own home and enrolled on a five-month long professional heritage plastering programme – led by carringtonLIME heritage skills training CIC.
The building restoration service which runs the course has been working in the conservation of historical properties for over 20 years.
The training, based in the Forest of Dean, provides students with limited construction experience a steppingstone into the heritage industry, and aims to increase the number of trades with traditional skills.
As part of the training, Karen is also learning about solid walled construction, restoring local timber framed properties, with a focus on gaining practical skills and career support to be a lime plaster.
carringtonLIME has been working in the conservation of historical properties for over 20 years – photo: carringtonLIME
Lime plastering is a skill that is in high demand amongst owners of traditional homes, yet one that is massively under resourced.
Kate Kerslake, the director of the course, said: “There are currently very few training opportunities available for those wanting to work in the heritage sector so we knew the course would be popular. We were lucky enough to be able to offer several fully funded places meaning the course really was open to everyone.
“We are excited to have Karen on board. She has already shown that she is hard working and passionate about historical homes so we are confident that she will do well.”
You can find out more about the courses carringtonLIME offer here.
Photos: carringtonLIME
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