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

MAPPING THE WORK FORCE AND SETTING STRATEGIC PRIORITIESdegree programme in architecture, an individual must fulfill a supervised internship for a period prescribedby the provincial regulating body. This is generally in the range of 5,600 hours. Every provincial associationrequires interns to pass the US Architectural Registration Examination administered by the US NationalCouncil of Architectural Registration Boards. In some provinces, there are also additional requirements,such as an admission course or an oral examination. None of these qualifying requirements explicitly addressesthe unique issues associated with heritage structures. Nor do any of the professional architectural associationsconfer a specialist designation for heritage architects.Landscape architects are accredited rather than licensed. Accreditation is administered by the CanadianSociety of Landscape Architects. University programs in landscape architecture are accredited by theLandscape Architecture Accreditation Council. In most provinces Landscape Architect is a “registered title”and the provincial association is recognized by a specific statute. Use of the title “Landscape Architect” isrestricted to persons accredited by the provincial body. Following completion of a recognized undergraduateprogramme, individuals must meet provincial requirements for experience and professional development andpass a specified examination. While heritage landscape architecture is a recognized area of specialization in someassociations, no specific specialist designations are conferred. Moreover, it should also be noted, that unlike thepractice of architecture, membership in the professional association is not a requirement to work in the field.However, a non-member is not legally permitted to represent himself or herself as a “Landscape Architect.”The Alliance for Historic Landscape Preservation is a membership-based association of landscape architectsspecializing in conservation work. The Alliance has members in both the US and Canada.Professional ConservatorsCAPC estimates that there are approximately 400 professional conservators in Canada. The conservatorprofession combines two types of persons. Some individuals were trained at the university level, often atthe graduate level. Other individuals learned their skills through a formal or informal apprenticeship. Thelatter is more common in Europe. Conservators tend to specialize in types of conservation and restorationwork, e.g., paintings, wooden objects, metals, stone, textiles and fabrics, paper, etc. Whether in privatepractice or employed, conservators must have access to a laboratory or studio.Professional accreditation is voluntary. The Canadian Association of Professional Art Conservators wasestablished in 1971. The organization subsequently changed its name to the Canadian Association ofProfessional Conservators (CAPC). CAPC administers a voluntary professional accreditation.Accreditation is based on an assessment of training, experience and laboratory or studio facilities.Professional members of CAPC are accredited in particular types of conservation or in particular types ofconservation activity. A 1996 article estimated that CAPC represents approximately 25% of practicingprofessional conservators in Canada. 17Parallel to CAPC is the International Institute for Conservation – Canadian Group (IIC-CG). UnlikeCAPC, ICC-CG is open to any individual or organization interested in conservation.17 CAPC, “Accreditation in Conservation: The Canadian Experience,” published in ICOM Committee for Conservation 11thTriennial Meeting, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1-6 September 1996, Preprints, Volume 1, James & James, London, page 153-157. Available at: http://www.capc-acrp.ca/FramesPage.htm©CULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL43