Apprenticeship training course

Cultural heritage conservation technician (level 4)

Preserving public and private heritage objects, collections and sites.

• Qualification level: 4 ; Equivalent to higher national certificate (HNC).
• Typical duration: 24 months
• Apprenticeship category: Creative and design
• Maximum funding: £9,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Also known as:
  • Collections conservation technician
  • Conservation science technician
  • Conservation technician
  • Specialist conservation technician
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • Use technical information in the course of practical projects.
  • Handle objects (such as sculpture and textiles) according to the specified handling guidelines for the item, or where these are not available, according to the requirements of experienced colleagues.
  • Assess condition and possible risks to an item in collaboration with supervisor.
  • In consultation with a conservator, select methods and materials appropriate to the object and the work to be carried out e.g. to process digital artworks, to clean objects.
  • Test methods for effectiveness before implementing them e.g. Use of monitoring equipment to check storage conditions or checking software for digital art.
  • Carry out interventive or preventive conservation measures in agreement with supervisor. This could be cleaning of objects and historic interiors, monitoring insect pests in collections or more specific tasks such as condition checking the resolution of digital artwork to assess correct equipment or adjust coding.
  • Select tools and equipment related to the brief e.g. in the dry cleaning of an object, the choice between a soft brush, or a chemical sponge or conservation vacuum cleaner.
  • Complete and maintain records. This could also include records of interventive treatments, pest management programmes, environmental conditions and object locations as well as on the instillation, play methods and archiving of digital art.
  • Carry out procedures for risk assessment, management, and mitigation.
  • Provide information and advice through demonstration and explanations.
  • Prioritise and plan own workload.
  • Remain current with advances in the body of knowledge and conservation practice for the specific field.
  • Maintain, improve and develop their skills.
  • Be responsible and apply professional ethics in the execution of their practical work.
  • Be responsible and apply professional ethics in dealings with the public, employers, clients, and colleagues.

Full information on Cultural heritage conservation technician (level 4) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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