Historic Trades
Historic preservation depends on skilled craftspeople. From masonry and woodworking to plaster, window restoration, roofing, and millwork, historic trades professionals make it possible to rehabilitate and maintain America’s historic buildings. But today, the preservation field faces a growing shortage of skilled workers trained in traditional building trades. The U.S. will need 100,000 additional preservation trades workers by 2030 to meet demand.
What We’re Fighting For
Preservation Action is advocating for policies and investments that strengthen the historic trades workforce and ensure the next generation has the skills needed to preserve our historic places.
What We Do
- Advocate for workforce development and apprenticeship programs in the historic trades
- Defend funding in preservation trades training from repeated cuts
- Promote building rehabilitation and reuse of historic buildings
- Support pathways to add “building rehabilitation” or “historic trades” in proposed legislation
- Build coalitions with the construction industry and labor advocates
What You Can Do
- Urge your members of Congress to include language in related legislation in support of “building rehabilitation” or “historic trades”.
- Share our Historic Trades Issue Brief with Congressional offices.
Help Us Advocate For the Future of Preservation
Preservation doesn’t happen without people. Your donation helps Preservation Action advocate for federal policies and programs that support preservation trades, workforce development, and the long-term future of historic preservation nationwide.
Background
Across the country, preservation organizations, contractors, and public agencies are sounding the alarm about a growing shortage of skilled historic trades workers. The challenge is driven by an aging workforce, declining vocational training opportunities, and increased demand for rehabilitation projects tied to housing, sustainability, and downtown revitalization.
The shortage is especially acute in specialized preservation skills such as lime plastering, historic window repair, finish carpentry, and stone masonry — trades that cannot easily be replaced with modern construction methods.
Addressing the historic trades workforce shortage will require action from preservation advocates, educators, policymakers, contractors, and community leaders alike.
Here are partner organizations working to promote historic trades: