119. Building Crafts College

Founded by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters in 1893, the Building Crafts College (BCC) has a long tradition of delivering high quality education and training in building crafts and building conservation. The BCC, located in Stratford, is an Educational Charity and is governed and financially supported by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, with further funding from other Companies, including the Turners and Masons.
A group of 25 Masters were shown around the training facilities by College Principal Len Conway and the level of skill achieved in wood, stone work, and conservation, after two years’ study, was impressive. Len, the Master Turner and Master Carpenter are pictured right. Talking of charitable funding (Blog 118), the Carpenters’ Company and other building-related Companies put about a £1 million per annum into the BCC to ensuring that young people can acquire key building skills.