Job Description

ID 3226

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The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate's name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.

Vacancy details

Vacancy title
Trainee Stonemason x3


Closing date
27/11/2025, 16:00


Advertising basis
Fixed Term
Actual starting salary
24,421
Salary range or pay band
Team Support 24,421 to 28,246
Allowances
No
Work pattern
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Duration
Fixed Term - 2 Years
Group
Education, Culture and Welsh Language
Directorate
Cadw
Branch
Properties in Care
Location (s)
North Wales, South East Wales
Main office base
Other
Specific Location
1 x Trainee Stonemason - Caernarfon
Specific Location
1 x Trainee Stonemason - Caerphilly 1 x Trainee Stonemason - Crumlin
Purpose of post
Cadw is the Welsh Government's historic environment service - working for an accessible and well-protected historic environment for Wales.


We conserve Wales's heritage to the best possible standard and help to sustain the distinctive character of Wales's landscapes and towns. We are responsible for some of the most significant sites in the world, and we help people understand and care about their place and history - and the place of Wales in the world.


Our in-house conversation teams carry out statutory responsibilities for the conservation and maintenance of the monuments in our care. Primary functions are to undertake stone masonry conservation works, cyclical and reactive maintenance and presentation works at Cadw's sites and monuments within a geographical area.


We are looking to recruit a number of trainee stonemason posts. You will undergo a two-year training course consisting of structured training towards an NVQ3 in Heritage Masonry Construction Skills, alongside work-based training delivered in-house by Cadw's team of skilled stonemasons, with final assessment of whether you have met the NVQ3 standard being undertaken by the Tywi Centre in Dynefwr Farm, Llandeilo.


Candidates will need to demonstrate some basic knowledge of construction and health and safety regulations, and some experience of working in masonry/bricklaying/plastering either through having attended courses and training, or practical experience on site.


Skills, knowledge and experience will be enhanced through on the job experience and formal training, whilst working towards an NVQ3 in Heritage Masonry.


Posts are available on a fixed term contract lasting two years. On successful completion of the NVQ3 and in-house elements of the course, you may be eligible to apply for a permanent or fixed term craft skilled stonemason job at the appropriate grade, subject to management's decision on workforce needs at the time. There is no guarantee that trainees will be offered a craft skilled stonemason job in Cadw on completion of the training.



Key tasks

Duties

To support our in-house masonry teams in completing set tasks, working on our historic monuments, including working at height from scaffold at times. To carry out mandatory training in H&S ensuring they work safely and compliantly with regulations, adhering to workplace and construction site safety. To carry out ToolBox Talks in rotation with colleagues. To ensure that all PPE is worn. Complete structured internal and external training modules programmed over the 2 year placement. To carry out masonry related repairs and conservation techniques to historic fabric. Work on Cadwraeth conservation projects and planned and reactive maintenance works. Supporting the Supervisor in ensuring that the team adhere to the approved conservation programme on each project. To mix traditional mortars effectively and consistently, closely following specified mixes. To carefully remove vegetation, rake out perished, loose and inappropriate mortar joints, minimising damage to stonework. To carry out general labouring duties. To prepare and re-point historic and non-historic masonry sections in line with specification and following industry best practice. To effectively protect new mortar during curing, dependent on weather, temperature and exposure etc. To record unsound masonry sections when identified meticulously, prior to careful dismantling, to include individual stone locations, orientation and joint thickness etc, to ensure that reconstructed sections are a true and honest representation of the original. To ensure that all masonry work is carried out to best practice using traditional methods. Supporting the team and supervisor in ensuring that all works are carried out to the highest standard. Providing support to the team by safely using and driving the Cadw branded fleet vehicles. Supporting the team by ensuring the Cadw fleet is kept to the highest standard of cleanliness. Any other duties commensurate with the grade as directed by the line manager.

Development opportunities
These roles are training roles to provide candidates with the opportunity to be assessed for an NVQ3 in Heritage Masonry, once they have finished their training.


Internal and external training and development opportunities will be encouraged as part of a structured training and development plan.


Training will result in trainees receiving an NVQ level 3 in Heritage Masonry and ability to apply for Gold CSCS card on successfully completing the NVQ3. It consists of the following components:

Attendance for 4 weeks at the Tywi Centre (4 weeks), with the possibility of more formal training, depending on the candidate's previous experience. Welsh Government induction training. On site mentoring and training by Cadw's existing masons on Cadw monuments. Opportunities for work and training placements with contractors and similar heritage bodies in Wales.

Other vacancy related information

Assessment Stage and Process

Stage 1 (Sift):

Candidates must provide:

A 750 word statement of your suitability for this role with evidence of the

experience criteria 1 and 2.

Stage 2 (Interview)

Candidates who successfully meet the minimum criteria at Stage 1 will be invited to an interview which will consist of questions testing the behaviours, experience and strengths.

Training

Training will result in trainees receiving an NVQ level 3 in Heritage Masonry and ability to apply for a Gold CSCS card. It consists of the following components:

Assessment at the Tywi Centre of the current skills and experience of the successful candidate. Attendance for 4 weeks at the Tywi Centre (4 weeks) with the possibility of more formal training, depending on the candidate's previous experience. Welsh Government induction training. On site mentoring and training by Cadw's existing masons on Cadw monuments. Opportunities for work and training placements with contractors and similar heritage bodies in Wales.

Location

The 3 trainee's roles will be based with 3 of our Cadwraeth mason's teams, based at Caerphilly, Crumlin near Newport and Caernarfon. Only one vacancy is available per team and candidates will need to specify which trainee role/s they are applying for on application.

Posts Available

1 x Trainee Stonemason - Caerphilly


1 x Trainee Stonemason - Crumlin


1 x Trainee Stonemason - Caernarfon

Other Information

Posts are available on a fixed term contract lasting two years.

On successful completion of the NVQ and in-house elements of the course, you may be eligible to apply for a permanent or fixed term craft skilled stonemason job at the appropriate grade, subject to management's decision on workforce needs at the time. There is no guarantee that trainees will be offered a craft skilled stonemason job in Cadw on completion of the training.


A driving licence is not essential for this role; however, you will be expected to travel to the Tywi Centre for training and your primary work base.


A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.



Vetting level
Basic
Number of posts
3
Contact point for further information regarding the post
cadw.hr@gov.wales