13 A growing number of contractors and craftspeople are now familiar with the concept that traditionally constructed buildings with solid walls need to breathe. Courses run by the suppliers of lime mortars, by organisations like the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and training centres such as the Scottish Lime Centre have been training builders in the use of lime mortars since the ‘90s. Most of the contractors coming through these courses have no accreditation in conservation, but are perfectly capable of carrying out high quality repairs and retrofit work to old and traditionally constructed buildings, particularly where a conservation architect or surveyor is involved. It is impossible to estimate precise numbers of these skilled craftspeople as there are no official registers, and even if there were, we would need still to check each craftsperson against the specific requirements of the job. For example, a highly skilled stonemason is unlikely to have the necessary skills required to retrofit a 17th century timber-framed building with wattle and daub walls, or a Victorian building constructed of cob. Each case requires a unique skill set. In addition a new pathway has been developed specifically for the retrofit of traditionally constructed buildings. The ABBE or NOCN Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings was introduced in 2022 and is being rolled out through training centres throughout the country. The course and others developed specifically for this sector are offered by the Environment Study Centre, including: • ABBE Level 3 Award qualification in Damp, Mould and Condensation in Buildings Retrofit Project Management • Introduction to the Retrofit of Buildings • Energy Efficiency and Retrofit of Non-Domestic Buildings 1-Day Course – based on BSI PAS 2038. A craftsperson weatherstripping Victorian sash windows: draughts are often the most significant contributor to heat loss
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