Historic Environment Scotland
Published: 28 September 2026
Building practice and learning: rethinking professional development in construction
Host organisation: Historic Environment Scotland
Project title: Building practice and learning: rethinking professional development in construction
Project description
This project will explore how professional development in the construction and historic environment sectors could be redesigned to encourage greater collaboration between different professions and trades.
The project is linked to the Skills Investment Plan (SIP) for Scotland's historic environment sector and focuses on the Architecture, Engineering, Planning and Surveying (AEPS) pillar. A partnership of organisations, including Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), is working to improve skills development across the sector. One of their priorities is fostering stronger collaboration between trades and professions through a whole-system approach.
The research will build on insights gathered from the Building Connections event into what better collaboration would look like. The researcher will investigate what a more collaborative approach to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) could look like. It will combine analysis of event data, mapping of existing competency frameworks and training provision, and interviews with key stakeholder organisations to understand current practice, needs, opportunities and challenges.
Outputs
Produce a report, including methodology, findings and recommendations.
Present your findings to the AEPS delivery group and key stakeholders.
In person/remote/hybrid
The location of this opportunity is flexible. It can be in-person at The Engine Shed, Stirling, Longmore House, Edinburgh or solely homebased, or a combination.
Benefits to the researcher
The researcher will benefit from the project by learning to apply their research skills within this applied situation. They will gain insight into the work of both HES, the wider historic environment and construction sector, and have an opportunity to expand their contacts and networks.
Key relationships
The researcher will work within the Strategy and Policy team, in the External Relations and Partnerships Directorate at HES, and work principally with the team co-ordinating delivery of the Skills Investment Plan. They will also work with HES colleagues working in their areas of interest. There will also be opportunities to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including members of the AEPS delivery group.
Subject areas
This opportunity would be relevant to the following subject areas:
Architecture; Museum Policy & Management; Heritage Management; Policy, Arts Management and Creative Industries; Information and Knowledge Management.
Person specification
A1. Knowledge Base
- Essential: Research methods – Practical application; Information Seeking.
A2. Cognitive Abilities
- Essential: Analysing; Synthesising; Critical thinking; Problem Solving; Evaluating.
A3. Creativity
- Essential: Inquiring minds; Argument construction.
B1. Personal qualities
- Essential: Enthusiasm; Perseverance; Integrity; Responsibility.
B2. Self management
- Essential: Preparation and prioritisation; Commitment to research; Time management; Work-life balance.
C1. Professional conduct
- Essential: Health and Safety; Ethics, principles and sustainability; Respect and confidentiality; Appropriate practice.
C2. Research management
- Essential: Project planning and delivery.
C3. Finance, funding & resources
- Desirable: Financial management.
D1. Working with others
- Essential: Collegiality; Collaboration.
First published: 28 September 2026