Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
It is vitally important that someone leads such work with the relevant depth
of skill and knowledge required to successfully complete a given task, and not
by someone just 'having a go' because they are a bricklayer. In this case study it
is clear that because of someone 'having a go' they cost others a lot of money
and time to put right their inferior work. The building also suffered because
of the unrecoverable damage caused to original materials, creating an unnece-
ssary need to source replacements. By employing well-taught, skilful, experi-
enced and knowledgeable craftsmen the buildings of our past can be repaired
and restored to a high standard so that they compliment the original and sur-
vive well into our future.
Unfortunately this situation is unlikely to improve unless there is a realisation
within the Construction Industry that to become a 'craft' bricklayer requires
intellectual as well as practical skills which can only be acquired from tutors
who possess both of those attributes themselves. Furthermore the various bod-
ies responsible for the repair and restoration of older brick structures should
not delude themselves in thinking that the current NVQ courses will remedy
the problem. A six-month course administered by lecturers who do not them-
selves possess the practical skills that they are supposed to be teaching is not
the answer to the problem. Unless all that are involved with brickwork from the
operatives to the clients acknowledge the dire straits we are in, regarding the
diminution of a craftsman bricklayer, the seed-corn skill base able to pass on
their knowledge will be lost forever within the next fifteen to twenty years.
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