Two Launceston tradies will receive fully-funded scholarships to learn specialist heritage building skills in a new program launched by council.
The City of Launceston is offering to cover fees for a six-day Practical Building Conservation course at Longford Academy.
Applications are open to qualified tradespersons living or working in the local government area.
The intensive course covers paint stripping techniques, damp management, traditional lime materials, timber decay diagnosis and heritage roofing systems.
Mayor Matthew Garwood said the program reflects the council’s commitment to preserving local heritage skills.
“Launceston has a really strong architectural history, from old Victorian homes through to our historic public buildings, and looking after them properly relies on skilled tradespeople who know how these places were originally built,” he said.
The course targets both hands-on tradespersons and those overseeing conservation work and is designed to tackle common challenges in maintaining and restoring older buildings.
Garwood said supporting local trades helps ensure traditional knowledge stays in the region.
“Backing local trades to build and strengthen those traditional skills helps make sure that knowledge stays here and gets passed on,” he said.
“This course is a great opportunity for people to grow their skills while also playing a role in caring for some of the most important buildings in our city.”
Applications are open until April 3 and are available at launceston.tas.gov.au.
