Description

Bursary Role: Thatching Trainees

Bursary Award: £15,480 p/a

Training Commitment: Full Time (up to 40hrs, Mon-Fri), Fixed Term (2 years)

Location: Trainees will be required to travel across Northern Ireland; most training time will be based at Moira Works Depot, County Down.

Closing Date: 19/11/25

About the Role:

CITB NI are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for 4 full-time Thatching Trainees for a 2-year training programme as part of the Future for Thatch heritage project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Trainees will receive bursary support for the 2-year training programme. Please note that this is a training programme and not an offer of employment.

These opportunities are open all, however applications are strongly encouraged from those candidates who are unemployed and to candidates who may have barriers to employment. No previous experience in thatching or construction is required for this role.

The trainees will be taught how to thatch buildings over the course of 2 years, resulting in trainees achieving an NVQ Level 3 in Heritage Skills (Construction) Thatching, subject to successful assessment.

In addition to receiving a tax-free bursary of £15,480 per year, the trainee would receive tools and PPE, and a contribution to accommodation for training placements where they are beyond a reasonable travel distance.*

Following the training, the trainees will receive mentoring support to assist them in seeking employment or establishing their own thatching business for a further 8 months. This mentoring support is not a full-time commitment, which can be attended around work commitments. Therefore, a bursary is not offered for participation in the mentoring programme.

Main Training Requirements

• Travelling to and attending training sessions
• Travelling to and attending training placements
• Compiling a portfolio of work
• Attending assessment
• Regular meetings with CITB NI and HED staff as appropriate
• Attending mentoring sessions

Person Specification:

This is an entry level opportunity for those with no or limited experience in thatching. The position will involve attending both theory and practical training sessions, and working on real buildings. Candidates will be required to work at height, and will be working outside in all weather conditions, as safe to do so. The work will be physically demanding, and candidates will be required to adhere to best practice health and safety at all times. The candidates will be expected to develop a portfolio of work throughout the training programme, this involves written and verbal communication. All candidates will receive support and guidance to help them develop this successfully. Additional support and/or adjustments will also be provided for candidates with specific needs.

The ideal candidate would have an interest in thatching or construction, working with their hands, and built heritage or history; and would enjoy meeting and working with a variety of people.

The practical element of the training will involve on-site placements. Candidates will therefore need to conduct themselves appropriately and minimise absence to ensure their training is not impacted. Further information is provided in the Bursary Holders’ Agreement which will be provided to candidates upon a successful application.