News and features

Tue, 10 Mar 2009

Recession boosts demand for "traditional skills"

Trade skills become a valuable asset during the economic downturn, says restoration specialist.

The co-founder of a specialist restoration firm has explained how times of economic hardship can create an increased demand for traditional skills and longstanding professions.

Dave Stone founded Stone Technical Services with his brother Grahame in 1998 and now counts St Paul's Cathedral and Selfridges in London among his high-profile clients.

The firm, which has offices in Darlington and Pinner, north London, currently employs 18 people and has managed to maintain its business despite the recession.

With unemployment rising rapidly in the UK, Mr Stone told the Northern Echo that the economic crisis has placed a renewed emphasis on the advantages of traditional trade skills.

"These days traditional skills are often overlooked but, in a time of recession when jobs are scarce, being skilled in a trade can be a huge advantage," he explained.

"We constantly encourage all of the team to undergo thorough training so that we can preserve these traditional skills for years to come."

Mr Stone said that the nature of his company's work ensures there will always be a high level of demand for the specialist skills and expertise of his employees.

"Historic buildings will always need repair and we work all over the UK restoring everything from huge cathedrals to community churches, as well as repairing precious artefacts."

Other iconic structures worked on by Stone Technical Services include the Bowes Museum in County Durham, Hull's monument to Sir William Wilberforce and the Holy Trinity Church in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

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