Living Heritage Trades Academy (LHTA)
The mission of the Living Heritage Trades Academy (LHTA) is to create opportunities for all to perpetuate traditional skills and crafts; to conserve and maintain existing building stock and materials; and to leverage living heritage for economic prosperity in San Antonio. Through fellowship and collaboration with neighborhoods, community, and education partners, the program works to eliminate barriers to attaining training to anyone interested. The LHTA, developed by the Office of Historic Preservation, provides training of traditional crafts and skills through apprenticeships, hands-on training, and class instruction on topics related to traditional building construction methods and materials.
In addition to the goal of filling the gap in a trained workforce, the program highlights the concept that the master craftsman and woman is just as important as our most significant historic buildings or sites. These artisans and the traditional knowledge they possess are worthy of exploration, celebration, and perpetuation. Through their work, this program will increase awareness of the building and construction heritage of San Antonio and the Southcentral region of Texas by instilling pride in the community, celebrating traditions, perpetuating craft and skill, while preserving cultural heritage.
The LHTA is a pipeline for experienced and certified traditional trades artisans to employment in San Antonio. With the support of our community partners, we provide wrap around services and trainings aimed to prepare our apprentices to enter the local workforce with these specialized skills and to be successful.
We are also seeking contractors to host apprentices working on certification. If you are a contractor working on older buildings and interested in hosting an apprentice, please email Kathy Rodriguez.
Certified apprentices have received in experience in traditional trade skills, such as wood window restoration, traditional carpentry, architectural carpentry. The following LHTA Level III Certified Apprentices have received over 400 hours of hands-on experience and training. After completing a one-week class and receiving OSHA Certification, these individuals completed a 10-week apprenticeship working alongside local artisans and craftsmen/women.
Before consider employing a certified apprentice, please review our Contractor Disclaimer and Information Page. To flag an inactive apprentice or to report an issue, please email us.
Certified Apprentices
Click on the links below to email the apprentices.