A rare opportunity to work in the team of craftspeople that maintain York Minster has come up thanks to charity funding. 

The Minster is now searching for its next apprentice stonemason is now underway thanks to funding from the Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust.

The Trust, which exists to advance education and research in construction, is giving their largest donation to date to support the role. 

The Centre will combine traditional craft skills with cutting-edge technology, as well as reviving a medieval tradition of providing accommodation for apprentices to live and work on site, helping to combat a very modern cost of living crisis. 

Freya de Lisle, a current York Minster apprentice stonemason. Freya de Lisle, a current York Minster apprentice stonemason. (Image: York Minster)

Alongside learning the ancient craft of stonemasonry, the apprentice will gain hands-on experience with the latest digital technologies, providing them with a wide range of tools to help combat some of the emerging challenges facing historic buildings such as York Minster. Climate change, which is causing increased and far heavier rainfall, is impacting these surprisingly fragile buildings, requiring stonemasons to replace stones more frequently.

The apprentice will join the Minster at an exciting time as the new Centre of Excellence for Heritage Skills and Estate Management opens this autumn.

Fortunately, York Minster has one of the largest, most skilled stoneyards in the country; the funding from the Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust will ensure that a long tradition of passing on skills, knowledge and tricks of the trade will continue for future generations. 

Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the support of the Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust at such a significant level towards a new apprentice stonemason at York Minster.

"This generous grant very much represents our strong shared aims in engaging the next generation of heritage construction professionals, through this exciting opportunity to join the workforce at one of the most iconic buildings in the country.  

“The new stonemason will join us at a unique moment in York Minster’s history, as we open the doors of our new Centre for Excellence to the world and develop our growing international network of cathedrals and heritage institutions.

"We are deeply grateful to the Trust for such generous investment in our work and very much look forward to welcoming the new apprentice into our workforce this autumn.” 

Paul Shepherd, Company member and Chairman of The Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust, said: “The Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust is delighted to be supporting a new stonemasonry apprenticeship at York Minster.

"This is the largest grant that the Constructors Charitable Trust has ever made and perfectly follows our prime remit to support Education and Research in the Construction Industry.

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"We are particularly pleased to support an Apprentice throughout their training and to partner with York Minster by contributing to the conservation and preservation of one of the most respected cathedrals in the world.  

“The Constructors Company will follow the development of the Apprentice throughout their training and will receive regular updates on their progress.

"As the Centre of Excellence for Heritage Skills and Estate Management opens on site at York Minster later this year, we look forward to our funded apprentice gaining invaluable skills and experience as part of this exciting new global network of heritage professionals and training.”