Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Article – “Guildry wants to get behind local apprenticeships” (Jan 2022)

A HISTORIC Perthshire charitable organisation is encouraging the next generation of tradespeople by offering grants to businesses to help facilitate the employment of apprentices.
The Guildry Incorporation of Perth, or the ‘Guildry’ as it is more commonly known locally, is exploring the possibility of providing financial support to businesses to encourage them to take on apprentices.
Particular emphasis is to be given to ‘heritage trades’ and the development of skills that provide a valuable connection to the past and an inspiration for future employment.
The Guildry is keen to hear from traditional construction trades such as stonemasons or drystone dykers, but also anyone who is a clockmaker, a French polisher or a furniture restorer for example, keen to expand their business and enthusiastic to pass on their knowledge and experience to the younger generation.
The organisation will gather expressions of interest until the end of March, and then will get back to the successful applicants.
The Guildry is the direct descendant of the Merchant Guild which received its royal recognition in the famous Charter which King William the Lion granted to the City of Perth in 1210.
It was an early friendly society, supporting members who had fallen on hard times, infirm members, widows and students.
Its earliest records, contained within the Lockit Book, began in 1452 and give a fascinating insight into life in Medieval Perth. It is first and foremost a register of members, however from within its pages we can glean information on the way of life at that time.
The Guildry maintained trading standards within the burgh and ensured that all merchants complied with Guildry regulations. This included no sale of goods on Sunday nor hoarding food during times of famine.
The first Dean of Guild was elected in the early fifteenth century to preside over the Guild Court, which dealt with disputes between traders and also collected fines for breaches of the trading laws. The Dean was also responsible for implementing Acts of Parliament and other orders from central Government as they affected the Guild.
In the early sixteenth century craftsman were admitted to the Guild Council.
After 1560 the Guildry gave active support to the minister at St. John’s Kirk and contributed to the salary of the reader. They also paid a pension to their chaplain. This support was given from the money received from admissions which increased considerably at that time. Guildry members were expected to play an active role in Church life and if they did not, they were fined.
Today, the organisation provides support for its members by way of bursaries, pensions and more, and it also supports deserving local causes.
Anyone who operates a business in the Perth area and is considering taking on an apprentice, is asked to contact the Guildry by e-mail at- secretary@perthguildry.org.uk, giving an outline of their business and their proposal for the employment of a new apprentice.
More information on the organisation can be obtained from perthguildry.org.uk.
The Guildry Incorporation of Perth always helps a number of local good causes.