Human Resources in Canada's Built Heritage Sector: Mapping the ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

MAPPING THE WORK FORCE AND SETTING STRATEGIC PRIORITIES9. While still comparatively few in number, there are now more university and college programmes thatfocus on heritage work. At the trade level, one of the key trades in the built heritage sector –bricklayers/masons – is developing a specialized curriculum in restoration masonry. AlgonquinCollege in eastern Ontario has also established a programme in heritage trades. A heritagecarpentry programme has been started by the College of the North Atlantic in Newfoundland.“The impact of building codes is huge. There has been no careful or systematic consideration oftraditional materials in comparison with new materials.”Workshop Participant, Toronto10. Building Codes, which were previously prescriptive have moved, in some measure, towards objective-basedstandards. Objective-based standards can be more accommodating to traditional building materials,though there are still a significant number of areas where codes are at odds with traditional buildingmaterials and traditional design methods. Building Codes are particularly important in private sectordevelopments when a heritage structure is being adapted for new uses. Objective-based buildingcodes may also make it less difficult to obtain insurance at reasonable rates.11. There is increased appreciation of the link between the environment and new construction.Environment Canada estimates that approximately one-third of the waste in land fills is constructionwaste from new construction and from demolition. Restoration of structures and preservation ofcomponents reduces this flow of construction waste into landfill sites.“The low bid system can cause serious problems in built heritage. ”Workshop Participant, Toronto12. The reliance on low bids often results in restoration work being undertaken by architects, engineersand contractors who lack an adequate understanding of the distinctive skills required for work onbuilt heritage sites.“The primary issue for the sector is transforming the attitudes of government officials (especially localgovernment officials) and property developers. This will require more incentives to encourage adaptivere-use of older structures.”Architect, Ontario13. Notwithstanding the progress that has been made, there continues to be a lack of understandingof the economic value of heritage properties on the part of many urban planners, real estate brokers,property developers, conventional lenders, and insurance underwriters.©CULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL13
HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’S BUILT HERITAGE SECTOR14. During the 1990’s, there were significant reductionsin both maintenance support for heritage structuresand in capital expenditures. The 2003 report of theAuditor General estimated that in real terms (i.e.,netting out the effect of inflation), federal support forhistoric parks and sites and other heritage resourcesdeclined by 22% over the period 1990-91 to 2000-01.The Report also noted that in February 2000, aninternal survey showed that two-thirds of the heritagebuildings in the federal portfolio were in poor to faircondition. In recent years, however, there has been a noticeable increase in capital support. Capitalspending on heritage institutions (including parks) by all levels of government has more thandoubled. The 2005 Federal Budget included $209 million in new funding for Parks Canada to repairand replace its ageing national park and national historic site visitor facilities, to restore its nationalhistoric sites, several of which are experiencing age-related deterioration and structural problems, torepair, replace and improve its critical infrastructure, including through highways, and to update itsinterpretive displays and programs.“There are many pathways into the sector, but there is a growing professionalism and a growing recognitionof a need for education and training, especially around principles and the policy environment.”Workshop Participant, Victoria15. Many of the persons who were interviewed or who participated in the workshops expressed the sensethat there has been an increase in the number of persons who work in the built heritage sector eithersubstantially or exclusively. There is also a growing sense of professionalism among these persons – atrend that is reflected in the importance that is attached to such bodies as the Association forPreservation Technology (APT), the Canadian branch of the UNESCO-affiliated InternationalCouncil on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the Canadian Association of ProfessionalHeritage Consultants (CAPHC). The latter was established in 1987 and accepts members, based ondemonstrated experience in the sector. Not withstanding these developments, there is a strong sensethat the need for professional advice on designing and managing interventions in the built heritagesector is not sufficiently understood. This often results in avoidable losses or damage to the heritagestock. The seriousness of this challenge cannot be underestimated. As one participant in a workshopobserved of heritage structures or heritage features: “once it’s gone, it gone.”14©CULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL
Page 1 and 2: HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’SBUILT
Page 3 and 4: HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’S BUILT
Page 13: HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’S BUILT
Page 65 and 66:
HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’S BUILT
Page 67 and 68:
Page 69 and 70:
Page 71 and 72:
Page 73 and 74:
Page 75 and 76:
Page 77 and 78:
Page 79 and 80:
Page 81 and 82:
Page 83 and 84:
Page 85 and 86:
Page 87 and 88:
Page 89 and 90:
Page 91 and 92:
Page 93 and 94:
Page 95 and 96:
Page 97 and 98:
Page 99 and 100:
Page 101 and 102:
Page 103 and 104:
Page 105 and 106:
Page 107 and 108:
Page 109 and 110:
Page 111 and 112:
Page 113 and 114:
Page 115 and 116:
Page 117 and 118:
Page 119 and 120:
Page 121 and 122:
show all

Human Resources in Canada's Built Heritage Sector: Mapping the ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?