The QEST/DBR scholarship will help a deserving candidate pursue their ambition to become a proficient craftsperson in the field of built heritage.
Today, DBR (London) Ltd, one of the UK’s leading historic building conservation contractors, announces a three-year partnership with the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), to support its ongoing scholarship programme.
Coinciding with National Apprentice Week 2023, the QEST/DBR scholarship will enable an individual to further their craft skills in the preservation of the UK’s built heritage.
The scholarship programme is open to anyone looking to enhance their craft skills in built heritage, from stonemasonry and plasterwork to leadwork and joinery. The successful candidate will receive a substantial bursary funded by DBR, which will go towards specialist training in their chosen field, from traditional college courses to vocational one-on-one training with a master craftsperson, or a bespoke programme of short courses.
The scholarship is open to those aged 18 or above at the time of application, able to demonstrate a high level of skill, a strong body of work and experience within their chosen field.
Applications for the QEST/DBR Scholarship will open in July 2023 for an award in November 2023, judged by a panel of QEST experts.
Adrian Attwood, DBR Executive Director explains: “This is an important development in our commitment to provide opportunities for the next generation of skilled craftspeople. As DBR is a Royal Warrant-holding company, QEST was our ideal partner, as a charity of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, upholding the values of quality and excellence. We are extremely proud of our highly skilled craftspeople and this annual QEST/DBR scholarship will ensure our legacy to continue to support the future development of crafts skills in the UK.”
Deborah Pocock, CEO QEST said: “DBR’s commitment to developing and sustaining craft skills makes them an ideal partner for QEST. We must all be concerned about passing on skills to the next generation and ensuring that we have appropriately trained individuals to conserve our built environment. We are grateful to DBR for enabling this annual scholarship.”
DBR’s scholarship partnership with QEST, represents the first step in a wider campaign, The Year of the Master Craftsperson (YMC), which seeks to promote the social and cultural importance of heritage conservation skills. YMC’s wider aim is to celebrate current industry practitioners, and the amazing work they do, as well as encouraging more young people to consider a career in this highly creative and rewarding sector.
Set to launch in Spring 2023, following this week’s scholarship announcement, our YMC campaign will showcase some of the UK’s most impressive conservation projects, and the personnel behind them, whilst offering practical guides and advice for those considering a career in built heritage.
