Training in the Historic Building Trades of New Orleans: An Inventory and Analysis

• Main Author: Hackett, Nyssa
• Format: Others
• Published: ScholarWorks@UNO 2011
• Subjects: Building Trades; Workforce Development; Historic Preservation; New Orleans; Cultural Heritage
• Online Access: http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1315; http://scholarworks.uno.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2299&context=td

The unique cultural techniques of the historic building trades of New Orleans are currently at risk of being lost due to a lack of new master craftsmen and the demise of the current generation of master craftsmen. The purpose of this study is twofold: to analyze the historic transmission of the trades in New Orleans through the lens of workforce development and to inventory and analyze current programs that teach the trades. Analysis of historic training in the trades and best practices in workforce development inform an assessment of the strengths of current programs and their ability to enhance the supply of master craftsmen. Additional analysis of workforce development practices and programmatic strengths combine to illustrate room introducing career pathways and intermediaries into the current system of training. This system of training in New Orleans is fragmented and insufficient to truly enhance supply; however, programmatic strengths present opportunities for improvement.