A landmark skills development initiative focused on heritage conservation and climate-resilient construction has officially kicked off in Antigua and Barbuda, with eight local participants selected to take part in the 2026 Building Craft Programme. The collaborative effort, led by The King’s Foundation—King Charles III’s charity dedicated to nature and sustainability—in partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) and the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marked its launch with an opening ceremony on April 8, 2026 at ABCAS’s Muriel O’Mard Campus. The event brought together key stakeholders from all partnering organizations, alongside the newly selected cohort of trainees, to kick off the innovative training initiative.
After a rigorous competitive application and screening process that included final interviews, the eight chosen participants—Kyla Weaver, Glennoy Goodwin, Shannoy Spencer, Jesse Gilpin, Devon Thomas, Johnathan Joseph, Edmund Map, and Akeem Javin James—represent a diverse cross-section of Antigua and Barbuda’s construction and design industry. The entire training opportunity is fully funded by The King’s Foundation and its partner donors, including The King Charles III Charitable Fund, Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd, and the Mill Reef Fund, removing financial barriers for emerging and established industry professionals looking to advance their skills. Two experienced ABCAS staff members will accompany the group for the UK-based portion of the programme: Jace Gore, Head of the Department of Industrial Technology, and Garry Southwell, CVQ Implementation Officer, who will offer ongoing academic and technical guidance throughout the training period.
The cohort brings together a wide range of professional backgrounds, including practicing architects, civil engineers, skilled trade workers, one former ABCAS graduate, and one currently enrolled ABCAS student. This mix creates a dynamic group united by shared passion and commitment to advancing two critical priorities for Antigua and Barbuda: heritage preservation and climate-resilient building practices. Since the programme’s opening, participants have begun a week-long on-site orientation in Antigua, led by ABCAS with logistical and content support from The King’s Foundation. The orientation combines in-class foundational learning with hands-on field exposure to prepare trainees for the intensive training ahead. On April 12, the group will depart Antigua for the four-week UK-based portion of the programme, which will be hosted at The King’s Foundation dedicated training sites, starting at the charity’s headquarters at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, with additional training taking place at Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire, England.
During their time in the UK, participants will gain immersive, hands-on experience in a range of high-value traditional building crafts and modern sustainable techniques. Key skill areas include precision carpentry, traditional masonry, lime-based building methods, heritage structure restoration, and contemporary climate-resilient construction practices. After completing the UK training segment, participants will return to Antigua and Barbuda to put their newly learned skills into practice during a local community-focused live construction project, allowing them to apply their knowledge directly to a real-world development need in their home country.
In remarks at the opening ceremony, Dr. Na-Ajele Buffonge, Vice President of ABCAS, emphasized the long-term value of cross-sector partnerships for skills development in the region. “At ABCAS, we remain committed to developing talent through meaningful partnerships,” Buffonge said. “This programme provides participants with internationally recognised skills while supporting sustainable and heritage-focused development in Antigua and Barbuda.” Dr. Simon Sadinsky, Executive Director of Research, Impact and Learning at The King’s Foundation, echoed that enthusiasm, noting “We are delighted to welcome these talented individuals to The King’s Foundation training sites, including Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, and Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire, England, to enhance their skills in heritage building crafts and climate-resilient construction.”
A follow-up cocktail reception for stakeholders and participants was held on April 9 at Galley Bay Resort and Spa, creating space for continued dialogue and relationship-building as the programme moves forward. Overall, the 2026 Building Craft Programme marks a major milestone for Antigua and Barbuda’s efforts to build national capacity in heritage conservation and sustainable construction, aligning directly with the country’s core national development priorities while empowering local professionals with globally competitive, industry-leading skills.