The Willowbank School of Restoration Arts is receiving national recognition for its role in advancing heritage skills training and helping meet the sector’s growing labour needs.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake school, along with Parks Canada, Algonquin College and Holland College, received a National Trust for Canada Governors’ Award at a ceremony held Oct. 24 at the Halifax Convention Centre in Nova Scotia.

The award highlights the schools’ collaborative work in heritage conservation, including a summer project that saw Willowbank’s class of 2027 restore shutters at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site in Cape Breton, an 18th-century fortress.

The project was cited as an example of how restoration work can support sustainability, community well-being and a sense of belonging.

This year marked the first time Willowbank’s second-year students attended the National Trust’s annual conference. Their participation was made possible through a donation from the Estate of Jonathan Kormos, provided via the Niagara-on-the-Lake Conservancy.

While in Halifax, the students connected with heritage professionals, explored potential placements and job opportunities, and presented summaries of key seminar themes during the conference’s final plenary session, which drew more than 500 attendees.

“The conference underscored that heritage is about people, stories, and community, not just buildings or objects,” read a media release from Willowbank.

Sessions emphasized inclusivity, collaboration and the preservation of marginalized histories and cultural knowledge.

Sustainability was a recurring theme, with participants advocating for approaches that minimize demolition and address climate challenges. Other discussions highlighted mentorship, education, financial sustainability and advocacy as key priorities in strengthening the heritage sector.

“Heritage was framed not as a constraint but as an opportunity to honour past stewardship, embrace creativity and build resilient, welcoming communities,” the release stated.