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COTAC's ACTIVITIES
Conservation Qualifications

 

A general review of the whole construction industry, undertaken by CISC in the 1990's, resulted in the production of ‘an occupational map’. COTAC was asked by CISC to produce S/NVQ's (Scottish and National Vocational Qualification) for building conservation. This was done using the ICOMOS Training Guidelines resulting in three new conservation qualifications. This is an opportunity to improve conservation skills for generalists in each discipline through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Building Site Managers
Until now there has been no specific education and training for managers in construction enterprises. Appropriately educated and competent trade and general foremen, clerks of works and site agents are crucial to the success of historic building operations. They need specific training in conservation just as much as do architects and craftsmen. In association with the CIOB there is now a level 4 S/NVQ in Conservation Site Management.

Conservation Officers
COTAC has worked with the Institute of Historic Building Conservation to produce a level 4 qualification. This is the first qualification designed specifically for conservation officers and will give anyone already working in this field the opportunity to acquire a specialist qualification.

Conservation Consultancy
This is a level 5 qualification designed for chartered architects, surveyors and others who wish to acquire a conservation qualification. It has been specially designed either to be taken in discrete units as CPD (Continuing Professional Development) or as a complete qualification.

Craft Qualifications
COTAC was commissioned by the CITB to develop level 3 conservation S/NVQ's for masons, bricklayers, carpenters and joiners, plasterers and decorators. These are now due for re-validation and will shortly be reissued. 

In addition, there are now courses available at a few locations offering a course for mastercraftsmen and women. The course requires the student to achieve a high level of hand skill in their own craft and it includes substantial elements of instruction into the management of conservation work and projects. This is the highly pertinent as the move towards smaller specialist firms among highly skilled craftsmen and contractors gathers pace.