Skills Development Officer

Skills Development OfficerInverness City Heritage TrustLocation: InvernessSalary: £17,500 per annum (£35,000 full-time equivalent)Hours: 18.75 hours per week — 0.5 FTE, equivalent to 2.5 daysContract: PermanentReporting to: Trust ManagerHelp develop the skills needed to care for Inverness’s historic buildings.Inverness City Heritage Trust is recruiting a Skills Development Officer to lead the development of our traditional building skills programme and help establish our Skills Academy.Traditional building skills are essential to maintaining and repairing the city’s historic environment. Our 2026–2031 Business Plan identifies skills development as a priority: supporting people into the sector, helping the existing workforce develop its expertise, and giving building owners and professionals access to practical knowledge.You will turn these ambitions into a coordinated programme of courses, workshops, demonstrations and learning opportunities. Working with craftspeople, contractors, education providers and heritage organisations, you will identify training needs, bring together suitable tutors and partners, and develop opportunities for a range of learners.The role will include building relationships with organisations such as UHI Inverness, Developing the Young Workforce and CITB; supporting apprenticeships, placements and career pathways; and developing opportunities for learning on live conservation projects. You will also coordinate continuing professional development and short courses for contractors, professionals and homeowners.Your programme will promote appropriate traditional materials and techniques, good maintenance and repair, and approaches to energy efficiency and climate resilience that respect the fabric of traditional buildings. You will gather feedback, evaluate results and contribute to funding applications and programme reporting.Key responsibilitiesLead the development of the Trust’s Skills Academy and coordinate an annual traditional building skills programme.Develop courses, workshops, demonstrations and continuing professional development opportunities for learners, contractors, professionals and homeowners.Identify and coordinate suitable tutors, craftspeople and training providers, ensuring activities respond to identified needs.Build partnerships with UHI Inverness, Developing the Young Workforce, CITB, schools, employers and heritage organisations.Develop and support apprenticeships, placements, work experience and other routes into and within the traditional building and conservation sectors.Maintain contractor and skills audits, using research and employer feedback to identify skills shortages and shape future provision.Work with colleagues and contractors to develop training opportunities on live heritage projects.Promote appropriate traditional materials and techniques, maintenance, repair, energy efficiency and climate resilience.Contribute to funding applications, monitor programme outcomes and maintain evidence for evaluation and reporting.Work with the Engagement Officer to promote training opportunities and traditional building skills careers.About youYou will be an organised, collaborative programme developer who can bring people together to create practical learning opportunities. You will bring:Experience in training, education, construction, heritage skills or workforce development.Experience developing and coordinating courses, workshops or vocational learning programmes.A good understanding of traditional buildings, conservation principles and appropriate repair and maintenance, including traditional materials and techniques.Experience working with apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, traineeships or work placements, and knowledge of Scottish skills and workforce development structures.The ability to build effective partnerships with employers, education providers and industry organisations.Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently and coordinate activities, partners and deadlines.Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence engaging students, craftspeople, contractors and professionals.A relevant qualification, professional accreditation or vocational qualification in construction, conservation, education, training, heritage or a related field, or equivalent demonstrable experience.Desirable experienceWorking in traditional building conservation or heritage construction.Working with CITB, Developing the Young Workforce, colleges, UHI or equivalent training bodies.Undertaking skills audits or identifying training and workforce development needs.Developing training linked to live construction or conservation projects.Contributing to funding applications and reporting on grant-funded programmes.Applying climate-conscious conservation principles, including energy efficiency and fabric-first approaches to traditional buildings.Interested in combining training and engagement?We are also recruiting an Outreach and Engagement Officer, working 18.75 hours per week to lead community engagement, heritage interpretation and communications, including our Story of Inverness project.You may apply for either role individually or for both. We welcome applications from people with the skills and experience to undertake both posts as a combined full-time appointment of 37.5 hours per week, with 2.5 days allocated to each role, at a total salary of £35,000 to £37,0000 per annum. Applicants for both roles should demonstrate how they meet the requirements of each.How to applyPlease send your CV to ross@icht.org.ukPlease state clearly whether you are applying for the Skills Development Officer role only or for both roles.Closing date: 25th November 2026Interviews: Rolling interviews throughout November. We reserve the right to close the advert early is a suitable candidate is appointed, so early applications are encouraged. Enquiries: Ross McCleary; ross@icht.org.uk