The Prince of Wales is backing a new scheme which seeks to revive skills integral to ensuring growth in the built heritage sector.

The Prince’s Charities Foundation and ConstructionSkills, a government Sector Skills Council, announced that they will be jointly providing start-up funding – a six-figure sum – for the Cotswolds Heritage Academy.

The academy – the brainchild of Stephen Davis, chair of the Woodchester Mansion Trust – will be made up of a partnership of heritage sites and local colleges including Cirencester, Stroud and Gloucester. It will offer accredited training in a range of craft and related heritage skills at HE level.

Peter Lobhan, ConstructionSkills chief executive, said: “We will match His Royal Highness’ commitment and partner the Prince’s Foundation to support the Cotswold Heritage Academy.

“Let us hope that this becomes the first in a network of heritage academies covering all regions of the UK.”

According to a spokesperson for ConstructionSkills, the expertise needed to preserve Britain’s heritage is in steep decline.

The first of the college courses will begin this month, but the academy will expand over the next year.