Apprenticeship training course

Cultural heritage conservator (degree) (level 7)

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Information about Cultural heritage conservator (degree) (level 7)

Preserving objects that could be housed in archives, art galleries, libraries, museums and private collections.

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

  Knowledge

  • The agents of deterioration and materials science.
  • How objects may have been changed or damaged
  • The wider cultural and historic significance of objects
  • Conservation theory
  • Current conservation practice within area of specialism
  • The wider contexts in which conservation is carried out, the implications of context for practice, and the implications of treatments and methods within the context
  • Impact on decision making of legislation related to area of practice. e.g. CITES, Human Tissues Act, Ancient Monuments and archaeological areas act.
  • Detailed aspects of conservation techniques within their area of practice
  • Materials commonly used in their area of practice.
  • Techniques commonly used in their area of practice.
  • Related conservation practices, i.e. the implications of remedial work for preventive practice
  • Relevant health & safety legislation including Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and manual handling regulations.
  • The process of planning, commissioning and managing conservation services.
  • Project management processes e.g. working towards and exhibition deadline.
  • The use of new techniques applicable to their area of practice
  • The limits of their own understanding and abilities and will practise within them.
  • Ethical principles and codes of practice relating to area of work.
  • Relevant legal requirements, e.g. where objects may be made of materials such as ivory.
  • The wider contexts in which conservation is carried out and the implications of treatments and methods within the context. e.g. when a conservation treatment might impact the reliability of later scientific analysis (wet treatments of paper might alter ink making later identification of authorship impossible)

  Skills

  • Assess the impact of the environment e.g. the temperature and light levels and their potential to cause changes to objects and collections.
  • Assess the physical nature of materials and collections.
  • Assess the condition of materials and collections
  • Assess the historical and cultural significance of cultural heritage materials.
  • Undertake risk assessments on cultural heritage material e.g. if preparing an object for exhibition they need to be able to judge the vulnerability of the object and identify possible damages that might occur.
  • Consult and work with other allied professionals e.g. a wall paintings conservator working within a building may work closely with architects and builders.
  • Identify and evaluate conservation options
  • Develop approaches for conservation issues which are non-routine and may be complex
  • Advise on any legislation, official guidance or organisational policy that affects areas of conservation practice. e.g. COSHH
  • Work effectively with others including conservators, clients and stakeholders (such as owners or curators) to agree course of action
  • Identify when no further action should be undertaken to an object e.g. if the item is too fragile
  • Prioritise objects for treatment
  • Implement agreed conservation measures. E.g. carry out practical treatments to objects or preventive conservation measures (such as implementation of integrated pest management or the cleaning and reconstruction of a chair) with a high level of skill, judgement and ethical consideration.
  • Monitor and evaluate the effect of conservation measures. e.g. use environmental monitoring equipment to assess a preservation environment in a display case
  • Prepare detailed reports following established guidelines and practices e.g. writing assessment reports, presenting options and documenting conservation measures applied.
  • Communicate recommendations and advice effectively
  • Ensure a safe working environment within the studio or onsite for themselves as well as for other staff and members of the public.
  • Identify the resources and materials required to support a project.
  • Supervise projects or volunteers.
  • Supervise other conservation professionals e.g. freelance conservators
  • Plan, commission and conservation work
  • Reflect on and learn from current practice
  • Keep up to date with current thinking, skills and techniques in their area of practice.
  • Promote conservation and the care of cultural heritage to lay and expert audiences, including other professionals involved in cultural heritage or the built environment
  • Effectively implement ethical principles and guidelines related to areas of practice
  • Handle value conflicts and dilemmas e.g. those relating to religious objects
  • Identify where additional legal advice and support is required
  • Identify the limits of own understanding, and when to work with other practitioners.

  Behaviours

  • An awareness of the of ethical and legal obligations relating to their area(s) of work
  • The exercise of good judgement and good practice in undertaking conservation work
  • Appropriate health and safety behaviours individually and towards others
  • Strong work ethic enabling them to work effectively as individuals and as part of a team
  • An openness to communicating with fellow professionals and others from a range of backgrounds, including members of the public.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Creative and design
• Qualification level: 7; Equal to master’s degree
• Course duration: 54 months
• Maximum funding: £27,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Conservator
  • Specialist Conservator

View more information about Cultural heritage conservator (degree) (level 7) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.