Bricklayer/stonemason

[Im a BusyBee]

my son is shortly to complete his 2 year bricklaying apprentiship. he is very keen to continue on for the 3rd year but his employer wont support him doing this. he works for a very small firm that is specialising in restoration and renovation of listed properties. The (only)bricklayer that he was working alongside and learning from has recently left. he was very highly regarded with english heritage, national trust etc. my son would love to go on and learn more in this area, we keep trying to make enquiries, find out how, where, when etc but cant get any information. we feel he will not progress without changing his employer. i hear on the news today these craftsmen are in short supply - can anyone throw some light on who he can contact??

[Whoever]

I believe there is a National Builders Federation but it may only be for house builders rather than builders or rennovators of other types of builders.
The National Trust might be worth contacting. They employ lots of special craftsmen on restoring their properties and they might be able to give you a list of the professional firms they employ, or alternatively offer some kind of apprenticeship working for them.
Otherwise try Googling apprenticeships in Building trade, or
something similar. Also, if you have any large firms of surveyors in your area, they may be worth approaching to see if they have any useful contacts in this area.