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

More documents

Recommendations

Info

MAPPING THE WORK FORCE AND SETTING STRATEGIC PRIORITIESArchitects:“There are architectural firms that specialize in built heritage. I believe that in Quebec there are at least10 firms. However, often generalist firms obtain the contracts without the required competence to dothe job correctly.”Architect, QuébecIt was noted by a number of persons that architects who only occasionally work in the built heritage sectormay not be sufficiently experienced in the sector to fully understand the relevant conservation principles orthe need, in some situations, for conservation specialists. As well, architects who only occasionally undertakework in the built heritage sector may not be fully aware of which trade contractors, consulting engineers andsuppliers have experience in the sector. Indeed, they may not appreciate the extent to which the builtheritage sector requires distinct skills and distinct materials. While all professions in the built heritage sector playan important role, the role of architects is pivotal. Architects are usually responsible for the design featuresof an intervention. As well, architects frequently manage the intervention and play a role in advising ownerclientson the selection of engineers and trade contractors. Architects may also manage projects.Engineers:“There are very few engineers and architects who have the skills and knowledge for the conservation ofheritage structures. Many say they do, but they don’t. ”Heritage Planner“To engineers, ‘restoration’ means recover the function, while to a conservator, ‘restoration’ meansrecover the period application.”Workshop Participant, HalifaxCivil and structural engineers must have a thorough understanding of the materials and techniques originallyused in a built heritage structure. In many instances, electrical and mechanical engineers are involved in retrofittinga heritage structure with systems that were not part of the original structure. This is almost invariablythe case when a heritage structure is being adapted for modern use. Among the issues that may arise in aheritage structure are problems of moisture control, protection from changes in humidity, structuralintegrity, and the need for vibration control. Engineers may also be biased towards replacing or alteringfeatures of heritage building that are important to its heritage character. Engineers who do not appreciate thematerials and construction methods used in a built heritage structure may fail to take these into account whenspecifying new systems.©CULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL23
HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’S BUILT HERITAGE SECTORProject Managers:“It is most important that the person managing the project be a specialist in restoration or conservation.Workshop Participant, MontrealProject management is a key function in any construction undertaking. Project managers may be engineers,architects, cost consultants, general contractors or specialized construction project managers. In the builtheritage sector, architects tend to predominate in the project management function, though this is notuniversally the case. Many project managers acquire their skills solely through experience. For engineers andarchitects, project management may have been part of their undergraduate training. Accreditation by theProject Management Institute is common, though far from universal. Project managers either make or adviseon key decisions regarding trade contractors, consulting engineers, suppliers and the use of conservationspecialists. Project managers who do not understand the distinct skills required to work in the built heritagesector are more likely to select engineers and trade contractors who are similarly inexperienced in the sector.A failure to appreciate the more labour-intensive nature of built heritage work can lead to under-estimatingtime requirements and pressure to “cut corners.”General Contractors and Trade Contractors:“It is not always competent people who have the contracts. Sometimes a business gets a contract, but doesnot do a good restoration… There is also a tendency to use replacement materials instead of original materials…Real stone will last for 100 to 150 years whereas reproduction stone lasts only 20 to 25 years.”Workshop Participant, MontrealTrade contractors also play a key role in the execution of projects in the built heritage sector. Projects typicallydo not hire labour directly. Rather projects employ trade contractors who supply and supervise labour and,in some cases, may determine the materials to be used. Trade contractors who are experienced in doing workin the built heritage sector understand the need to employ tradespersons who have the distinct trade skillsrequired by the sector. Experienced contractors also understand the more labour-intensive and time-consumingnature of work in the sector. By contrast, contractors without experience in the sector are likely to employtradespersons who also lack experience and to underestimate the time requirements. In some regions thescarcity of experienced contractors is acute. In others, there are an adequate number of experienced contractors.Low-bid rules may result in work being awarded to inexperienced contractors if they are not excluded bypre-qualification criteria.24©CULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL
Page 1 and 2: HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’SBUILT
Page 3 and 4: HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’S BUILT
Page 23: HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’S BUILT
Page 75 and 76:
HUMAN RESOURCES IN CANADA’S BUILT
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?