The traditional trades were included on our 2016 Five to Revive list as we started to see the beginning of a critical loss of those trained and skilled in the industry. In an effort to kickstart the next generation of trained professionals in historic window restoration, Landmark partnered with Flower City Folk and window expert Steve Jordan to provide the Windows Workforce Pilot Training Program.

Students applied and were selected to participate in the program, taught by Steve Jordan and Brandon Fleishour of The Old House Company. During the six-week training course, they learned how to restore old and historic windows from start to finish. We are excited to see where this training leads them and hope to continue to work with our wonderful partners to make it happen again in the future.

To learn more, check out our “Growing the Skilled Trades”  discussion on WXXI’s Connections with Evan Dawson here. Executive Director Wayne Goodman joined Hannah Davis of Flower City Folk, Steven Jordan, and program participants Merritt Smith of Browncroft Historic Windows and Christina Alario of Hammerstone School to discuss the recently completed Windows Workforce Pilot Training Program and the importance of supporting and working in the historic trades.

The Windows Workforce Pilot Training Program was made possible by generous funding from the Rochester Area Community Foundation, the Historic Preservation Education Fund, the National Trust, and NYSCA.