Facilities Workforce Career Academy

Overview

The Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands Directorate of the National Park Service created the Facilities Workforce Career Academy (FWCA) to provide educational resources to prospective and current employees in need of skills-based training to maintain NPS assets. Run by the Historic Preservation Training Center, the FWCA aims to provide best-in-class training in a variety of maintenance career tracks from wage grade trades to facilities management competencies. The FWCA provides training in facilities maintenance and management, historic preservation, and facilities leadership.

Who is served by the FWCA?

Our programs are for NPS maintenance workers ranging from those just entering the workforce to the seasoned, long-term employee.

What are our programs?

Through our Continuing Education Opportunities, Aspiring Preservationist Programs, and Task Support Tools, we meet learners where, how, and when they need us.

Continuing Education Opportunities

These opportunities are aimed at NPS employees and industry professionals looking to develop their skills and gain mastery in historic preservation and traditional trades skills. Opportunities vary in length from a couple of days to multi-year programs. Select a program below to learn more.

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  BEST Preservation Workshops

  Training for NPS employees in the preservation of traditionally-built historic resources using problem-based and hands-on learning.

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  Harrison Goodall Preservation Fellowship

  This fellowship gives graduate students and enterprising professionals the opportunity to make a contribution to the field of preservation.

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  Preservation and Skills Training

  Trains NPS maintenance employees in the proper preservation, care, and maintenance of our historic assets within the National Park System.

Aspiring Preservationist Programs

These programs are geared toward youth, people serving in the military, and military veterans interested in getting involved with historic preservation. Check out the individual programs below for more information.

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  Build Up Technical Internship

  Internships for students and recent graduates in technical fields.

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  Historic Stewards Program

  This program targets students currently enrolled in trades, construction or other hand-on, preservation-related fields of study.

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  Indian Youth Service Corps

  The Indian Youth Service Corps provides opportunities for Indigenous youth to engage in public service.

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  Preservation in Practice

  Preservation in Practice is a four-week, paid, summer field school aimed at undergraduate architecture students attending HBCUs.

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  Traditional Trades Advancement Program

  TTAP provides hands-on, historic preservation trade skills training during an intensive five-month learning-while-working experience.

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  SkillBridge

  SkillBridge is an opportunity for military service members to gain skills through industry training in their last 180 days of service.

Task Support Tools

These learning aids are meant to provide on-the-job support at the precise moment of need. They range from online how-to videos to checklists for preservation best practices. Select an example below to learn more.

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  Trades Alive Video Series

  This video series features historic preservationists and trades specialists from across the NPS.

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  Preservation Briefs

  Provide guidance on preserving, rehabilitating, and restoring historic buildings.