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

MAPPING THE WORK FORCE AND SETTING STRATEGIC PRIORITIESSpecialized Functions and Specialized Occupations:Two types of occupations are prevalent in the Built Heritage Sector. The first are occupations that involvespecialized functions that are a sub-set of functions commonly associated with occupations that are alreadyregulated or certified in some manner. Examples of such occupations would be architects who undertakethe design and management of heritage projects or masons who perform restoration work. In both cases,specialized skills are required. However, these specialized skills are best understood as a sub-set of the skillsthat are commonly associated with the respective occupations and are already addressed (perhaps inadequately)by existing occupational standards.The second type of occupation are those specialized occupations that principally involve functions or skillsthat are distinct to the built heritage sector. These occupations would not exist, in the absence of the builtheritage sector. In this Occupational Mapping, these specialized occupations would be:SEGMENT IN BUILT HERITAGEPROJECT CONTINUUMSector Management and Administration/Policy Development and ApplicationApplied ResearchProject ExecutionCultural and Historical Programmingand InterpretationSPECIALIZED OCCUPATIONS(Unique to or substantially engaged in the Built Heritage Sector)Heritage Planners and Administrators at various levelsArchitectural HistoriansCultural LandscapersArchaeologistsConservatorsLeaded Glass RestorersStone CarversHeritage Site Programme Managers and AdministratorsGuidesOccupational MappingSector Management and Administration / Policy Development and Application:• Heritage Planners and Administrators (various levels)• Urban Planners• Educators, chiefly in the urban planning and architectural fieldA key group of occupations in this segment of the Built Heritage Project Continuum are the HeritagePlanners and Administrators (provisional title). 1 The distinguishing skills and functions of these occupationspertain to knowledge of statutes, international conventions, regulations, programmes, policies and goalspertinent to the Built Heritage Sector. Individuals in these occupations are employed principally by thepublic sector or work as independent consultants. These individuals are typically university trained in architecture,urban planning, engineering or fine art. Their functions bridge both the applied natural sciences and thehumanities. At present, these individuals acquire the preponderance of the skills that are specific to theiremployment in the Built Heritage Sector through experience, although some university graduate programmesmay now be covering aspects of the skills required.©CULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL67