Case Study: Building Viable Careers in Heritage Construction through the Heritage Building Skills Programme
Kathrine Graf and RM Eaton Stonemasonry
Kathrine Graf was a Tier 3 participant on the Heritage Building Skills Programme, funded by Historic England. She spent 12 months learning Stonemasonry with RM Eaton Stonemasonry.
The program and traineeship have been life-changing. I feel so much more confident in my skills and career choice.
Before joining the Heritage Building Skills Programme, Kathrine had undertaken an MA in conservation and had worked for three years as a self-employed conservator. During this time, she had the opportunity to observe stonemasons and became interested in the craft.
Following her successful application to the programme, Kathrine joined RM Eaton, a small family-run company based in Derbyshire, for a twelve-month placement (Tier 3) from September 2023 to August 2024.
Kathrine thought that the programme presented a unique opportunity because there was no upper age limit, unlike other trainee positions, which she felt were usually only open to younger people. RM Eaton also felt that having someone older had a positive impact, as Kathrine already had knowledge she could bring to the placement and had a good mindset and approach to work.
Kathrine’s experience on placement
Through her placement, Kathrine had the opportunity to work on a wide range of interesting buildings and projects.
At Castern Hall, she had the opportunity to utilise her existing skills and knowledge in conservation and her developing skills in stonemasonry. For example, when working on fireplaces, she was able to write the condition reports and treatment proposals, as well as carry out the physical work. She felt excited to be involved in the whole process on-site rather than being in a more removed role as a conservator.
Kathrine gained a range of stonemasonry skills and knowledge during her placement, including setting out, moving, working, and fixing stone, working with lime mortar, and working with stained glass. In addition to skills specific to stonemasonry, her placement with RM Eaton also gave Kathrine the opportunity to train in other useful skills related to being on-site, such as first aid and using a cherry picker.
Through her participation in the HBS programme’s summer school, Kathrine broadened her understanding and experience in interacting with other trades.
Overall impact of the programme
Her time on the programme enabled Kathrine to significantly increase her confidence. She explained that there are certain expectations that women in stone conservation do the cleaning, repairs, and smaller tasks and men do the fixing and large lifting.
Due to her placement and training, she now feels able to break these stereotypes. She has gained the skills and confidence to undertake tasks that she previously, as a conservator, would have asked a stonemason to do.
Kathrine does not think she could have found the same employment opportunity without the programme. The support of the programme and RM Eaton gave her the time to focus on learning and building new skills, an opportunity she would not have had as a conservator. She explained:
I think had I not done that (the programme), I would have continued with self-employment as a conservator. I would have learned a few things on the job, but my goal with that was just making money and surviving, but the programme allowed me to focus on learning, and that was really great.
Since the end of her placement in August 2024, Kathrine has been employed full-time by RM Eaton and is hoping to use her skills to grow the conservation side of the business.
RM Eaton feels that the placement has been beneficial to their business and is positive about being able to offer Kathrine a full-time position.
Case study prepared in partnership with programme evaluators Harlow Consulting, Data collected by Harlow Consulting, with interviews conducted between June 2024 and January 2025.
Also of interest
