Apprenticeship training course

Cultural heritage conservation technician (level 4)

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Information about Cultural heritage conservation technician (level 4)

Preserving public and private heritage objects, collections and sites.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • The cultural, historic, and spiritual context of objects and structures and how to operate within these frameworks. Examples might include work on human remains or objects of religious significance (e.g. not using materials derived from pigs on Jewish or Islamic objects).
  • The wider heritage contexts in which conservation is carried out and how conservation practices and their heritage context can affect one another.
  • The handling procedures and equipment that might be required e.g. in moving collections or objects, or differing options for digital archives.
  • Agents of deterioration.
  • The difference between active and historic deterioration.
  • Relevant statutory, quality and policy standards within own area of work.
  • Different materials, structure and use of objects and structures in their care e.g., the different structures of books from a range of time periods and geographical areas, particularly in relation to display requirements and digitisation.
  • Appropriate environmental conditions for the objects in their care.
  • The range of conservation measures from preventive care to interventive treatment carried out within area of practice.
  • Baseline estimates of the time and resources needed to complete each task.
  • How to evaluate methods for achieving the aims and deliverables.
  • How to use specialist equipment. e.g. those used for environmental monitoring or training in software and coding for time-based media.
  • How to record data using specialist equipment.
  • The importance of record keeping and data management procedures in their work.
  • Legal requirements and obligations relating to health and safety, employment and contract law and international agreements e.g. such as the regulations surrounding use of in the use of specific chemicals used in the routine cleaning of objects.
  • How to develop a personal development plan for learning and self-development with realistic but challenging objectives.
  • How to keep a CPD log.
  • How to select and apply appropriate learning techniques and methods.
  • Professional judgement and ethical behaviour in their area of practice.
  • The appropriate professional body's code of conduct and how to observe it in the workplace.
  • The limits of their own understanding, abilities and responsibilities, and how to practice within them. i.e. when to seek support of the qualified conservator.

  Skills

  • 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.

  Behaviours

  • Show ethical principles in their work.
  • Exercise of judgement and good practice in undertaking conservation work.
  • Be health and safety conscious in terms of behaviours individually and towards others
  • Display a strong work ethic enabling them to work effectively as individuals and as part of a team.
  • Demonstrate strong communication skills with people across their organisation, other professionals, and members of the public.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Creative and design
• Qualification level: 4; Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)
• Course duration: 24 months
• Maximum funding: £9,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Collections conservation technician
  • Conservation science technician
  • Conservation technician
  • Specialist conservation technician

View more information about Cultural heritage conservation technician (level 4) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.