Kate Frame, head of conservation and collection care, Historic Royal Palaces
"Changes in training and the expanding role of conservators are making us reevaluate our profession. I think conservators with expanded skill-sets that include (among others) communications and project management will become the norm. Conservation teams that pool a variety and level of talents may also become widespread.
As a result, flexibility is key. Our next generation of professional members may come to accreditation from varying paths. One thing is true: there will always be people passionate about conservation. Our role will be to find them a pathway to fulfil that passion."
Diane Gwilt, head of collection care and access projects, National Museum Wales; chairwoman, Institute of Conservation
"Training for conservators in the UK is increasingly concentrated at postgraduate level. Critical as tertiary education is, especially in maintaining the research base that underpins the profession, effective workforce development needs a ladder of provision.
It's regrettable these courses have closed, but the success of Icon's HLF-funded internship programme and Conservation Technician Qualification have shown the demand for alternative training routes.
Over the coming year, Icon will be working with training providers and other key stakeholders to develop a national education and skills strategy for conservation that will deliver a more diversified training economy."
Sally Ann Yates, director of collections management, National Conservation Centre, Liverpool
"Closure of courses significantly weakens the UK's capabilities in conservation practice, academic training and knowledge transfer. The consequences are serious and will have an impact on our ability to care for collections.
Short term, we are likely to recruit more conservators who have been trained abroad, although many students request internships in the UK. With emphasis on work-based learning, it's important to have skilled people available to provide such training, and there are opportunities in fellowships and internships through the support of organisations such as Icon and the Clothworkers' Foundation."
Suzanne Keene, reader emeritus in Museum Studies, University College London
"It could be back to the dark ages - secret recipes, no scientific rigor about materials and treatments, an emphasis on returning things to their former glory and be blowed to historical evidence. In an apprenticeship-based system the skills base of conservators offering training will gradually erode.
Are universities thinking hard enough about employment changes? Conservators in institutions presently focus on managing collections and commissioning treatment from specialist independent conservators. Could we see universities providing science-based education and research, with internships giving practical skills, maybe funded by the HLF?"
"Changes in training and the expanding role of conservators are making us reevaluate our profession. I think conservators with expanded skill-sets that include (among others) communications and project management will become the norm. Conservation teams that pool a variety and level of talents may also become widespread.
As a result, flexibility is key. Our next generation of professional members may come to accreditation from varying paths. One thing is true: there will always be people passionate about conservation. Our role will be to find them a pathway to fulfil that passion."
Diane Gwilt, head of collection care and access projects, National Museum Wales; chairwoman, Institute of Conservation
"Training for conservators in the UK is increasingly concentrated at postgraduate level. Critical as tertiary education is, especially in maintaining the research base that underpins the profession, effective workforce development needs a ladder of provision.
It's regrettable these courses have closed, but the success of Icon's HLF-funded internship programme and Conservation Technician Qualification have shown the demand for alternative training routes.
Over the coming year, Icon will be working with training providers and other key stakeholders to develop a national education and skills strategy for conservation that will deliver a more diversified training economy."
Sally Ann Yates, director of collections management, National Conservation Centre, Liverpool
"Closure of courses significantly weakens the UK's capabilities in conservation practice, academic training and knowledge transfer. The consequences are serious and will have an impact on our ability to care for collections.
Short term, we are likely to recruit more conservators who have been trained abroad, although many students request internships in the UK. With emphasis on work-based learning, it's important to have skilled people available to provide such training, and there are opportunities in fellowships and internships through the support of organisations such as Icon and the Clothworkers' Foundation."
Suzanne Keene, reader emeritus in Museum Studies, University College London
"It could be back to the dark ages - secret recipes, no scientific rigor about materials and treatments, an emphasis on returning things to their former glory and be blowed to historical evidence. In an apprenticeship-based system the skills base of conservators offering training will gradually erode.
Are universities thinking hard enough about employment changes? Conservators in institutions presently focus on managing collections and commissioning treatment from specialist independent conservators. Could we see universities providing science-based education and research, with internships giving practical skills, maybe funded by the HLF?"
