Certification

In reply to George Wheeler, three of the major UK conservation
bodies introduced a system of accreditation (individual professional
certification) in 1999.  Evaluation to date is generally positive,
although there are several issues to be worked through, some of
which are being addressed through a current review process.  There
are some papers and links on this at
<URL:http://www.devmts.demon.co.uk/pacr/>, and if anyone would like
a more up-to-date paper reviewing the development of conservation as
a 'qualifying profession' I can forward it on request
(stan.lester [at] devmts__demon__co__uk);  I will post it on the web site on
my return to the UK in mid-December.

Whether certification is appropriate, and what kind of
certification, will depend on the professional context and 'climate'
in the country in question: the UK experience needs to be
interpreted in the context of the UK's largely 'free market' and
self-regulated approach to professions, a diversity of entry routes
to conservation with graduate/postgraduate entry becoming the norm
in many specialisms, the level of professionalisation in contiguous
occupations such as curators, archivists, architects and engineers,
the large proportion of conservators in private practice, and the
interest of the major heritage agencies in a qualification or
licensing system.

Dr Stan Lester
Accreditation consultant to the National Council for
Conservation-Restoration


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 16:36
               Distributed: Wednesday, November 27, 2002
                       Message Id: cdl-16-36-002
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