need a master builder but can't make one

Please help me. I am well into the game and have a thriving village of 49 peeps. To progress I need a master builder to draw the plans for the fallen statue but I only have adept builders. Everything is built so I can only try to increase their talent by fixing huts but it does not 'improve' their skill. I seem stuck in the game and don't want to think I have failed and have to go through everything again in a new game just to ensure I have a master builder at this point.

TIA

maybe u should raise your population so they'll have 2 make more huts.