York Minister on the lookout for next cohort of apprentices

BBC News

11-05-2025

York Minster has cut an impressive figure on the city's skyline for more than 800 years - a testament to the work of countless craftsmen and women through the decades.It now needs a new generation of apprentices to help preserve its legacy for centuries to come.The minster is seeking a future decorator, electrician and stonemason to join the 200-strong team for up to four years.Master mason Lindsay Hogarth says successful candidates will need "personality and drive", with a "lot to cram in to four years".
Third-year stonemasonry apprentice Harriet Bailey had not considered the trade as a career until she came to York as a university student.After working in a number of admin roles she did not enjoy, she took a stonemasonry course at York College before applying to an apprenticeship at York Minster."I suppose it was a roundabout way of getting here. But I know working behind a computer wasn't for me," she said."[At this job] I get to see a finished product, I'm doing it, I see it and everyone gets to enjoy it so it feels meaningful."As well as traditional stonemasonry, the course teaches digital skills including 3D scanning and computer-aided design.Mr Hogarth leads the apprentices, and estimates there is a even split of men and women on the scheme, many of whom he has seen go on to successful careers.
He said: "It's quite a small world I suppose for stonemasonry because it is a little bit niche, you always get to stay in touch with people who have moved on, so you're never saying goodbye I guess."You always get to hear from them, it's a nice family."This year, Ms Bailey will see her handiwork - a carving, which has been several months in the making - installed onto York Minster.She said: "It can take longer than a typical project at other jobs might take, but stonemasonry requires a lot of patience."It'll be really nice to be able to point up at it and show my mum or whoever, and know that other people will be able to appreciate it – and it'll be there for a long time, which is cool."For second-year joinery apprentice William Dixon, the idea of working on jobs in centuries-old, minster-owned properties was a daunting prospect."At first I was a bit scared and nervous because I was still learning," he explained."But now I'm getting more comfortable with the work, I'm more confident and proud of what I do."The team I work with really help me progress and enhance my skills a lot."You can be yourself and have a laugh but you learn a lot and crack on with the work. It's the best of both worlds."
Mr Dixon's apprenticeship is supported by the religious charitable organisation Benefact Trust, which covers his salary.He is one of a number of apprentices funded by grants from trusts as a way to pay towards the conservation of the minster. Cate Birch, head of fundraising and development, said: "The minster is a magnificent but vast building."As part of our income stream, as well as ticket income, we rely on charitable donations and grants."That pays for the conservation and restoration of the building, the stone, the equipment, but most importantly, our workforce and our apprentices."We are very grateful to all our donors - it all makes a difference."The three apprenticeship schemes are open for applications until mid-May.Mr Hogarth said: "We're really proud to offer stonemasonry apprenticeships at York."We're proud of our craft and very excited to pass it on to future generations."
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