Commitment to Progress: Higher Education & Professional Development

As part of the Stonewest commitment to protecting and sustaining our built heritage, we must ensure our work is effectively informed and supported by up-to-date technical and practical knowledge, which is why higher-level education and professional qualifications are essential for Stonewest, enhancing our knowledge and elevating our team’s capabilities and specialist skills.

At Stonewest, our people are the very heart of our business. They embody our values and we continuously encourage their progression and growth. We believe professional development is fundamental to our success, so we proactively invest in our team and prioritise this with a combination of higher education training and opportunities to gain professional industry qualifications and accreditations. We also have a Professional Development Review System in place to support them at all levels; the result is an employee retention rate of 95%*. This enables us to continue providing the highest quality, specialist project work for our valued Clients.

Our Contracts Manager, Luke Reuter, is currently taking the Historic Building Conservation Msc at Kingston University London, broadening his expertise of built heritage and learning from specialist heritage organisations and practitioners to further strengthen our client offering.

Luke explains: “Built heritage preservation is of huge importance to our business, and it’s essential that as an industry and for our environment, historic buildings and structures are responsibly and sustainably redeveloped and reused. Taking this course has absolutely enhanced my knowledge and understanding in this evolving and important field, everything I learn goes directly back into the work we do on a daily basis”.

Gaining accreditations and qualifications to heighten our expertise, understanding and knowledge is fundamental to professional development. These are earned through a rigorous process of study, assessment and evaluation, and are recognised by industry professionals and clients alike.

Building conservation and restoration is a specialised field that requires a unique set of skills, knowledge and experience. The preservation, adaptation and re-use of historic structures and monuments requires an understanding of traditional building materials, techniques and craftsmanship, as well as a knowledge of contemporary materials and evolving conservation and preservation methods. This knowledge is essential for accurately assessing the condition of historic buildings and determining the most appropriate methods for their protection and enhancement.

Higher education also helps to ensure that standards of practice are upheld within the industry. By requiring individuals and organisations to meet certain standards, the industry can maintain a high level of quality and ensure that the buildings and structures being restored are done so in a way that is both sensitive and respectful of their historical significance.

Our industry is constantly evolving, with the development of new techniques, materials and technologies. Higher education programs and professional qualifications enable us to stay up-to-date with the latest advances and ensure that historic buildings are preserved and restored with the highest level of expertise and care.

This proactive investment in our people and our expertise, encapsulates our commitment to our craft and dedication to business sustainability. Assurance of expertise, upholding industry standards and enhancing our specialist skills, all ensures we can continue to provide the best possible service to our Clients and to keep delivering the superior quality work of which we are so proud.

*95% employee retention in 2021