Education & Training

Background:

ICOMOS NZ aims to assist potential and current heritage professionals select the most appropriate heritage education and training. In 1993, the ICOMOS General Assembly adopted guidelines to promote the establishment of standards for education and training in the conservation of monuments, groups of buildings and sites, including historic buildings, historic areas and towns, archaeological sites, and their contents, as well as historic and cultural landscapes. Please note that these guidelines are currently being updated.

Opportunities for professional heritage and trades education and training in Australia and New Zealand have recently been reviewed on behalf of the Heritage Chairs and Officials of Australia and New Zealand (HCOANZ). The report identified ‘looming skills shortages’ for heritage professionals and specialist heritage trades.

These findings reinforce the long held consensus among ICOMOS NZ members that there is a need for both a greater number of qualified heritage practitioners and further training for those already involved in cultural heritage conservation in NZ.

Degree/diploma education and training courses:

Currently, there are very few opportunities to undertake a comprehensive study of cultural heritage conservation in NZ leading to a formal qualification. However, there are a substantial number of education and training programmes, including 1-2 year academic courses available outside of New Zealand, leading to formal heritage qualifications.

There is also the opportunity for occasional study programmes or short courses in New Zealand but these are often unrelated and do not culminate in a formal qualification.

ICOMOS NZ has prepared a list of available degree and diploma courses in cultural heritage conservation to guide potential and current heritage practitioners towards programmes that it considers most appropriate to the NZ heritage context. The table is set out in alphabetical order by country and then by provider. Courses range from 1-2 year postgraduate qualifications and include distance learning programmes.

Most postgraduate programmes require a relevant graduate qualification and all require full or part-time attendance at the providing institution. A number of providers offer postgraduate qualifications through distance learning. This allows the possibility of combining a formal education with ‘on the job’ practical training in the workplace.

Some ICOMOS NZ members have direct experience of courses and would be willing to share their experiences. This is indicated on the table. Please email education+training@icomos.org.nz if you wish to be put in contact. A sound theoretical background leading to a formal qualification, practical experience and specific short courses will provide the best on-going training and continuing professional development for cultural heritage practitioners. For further information or to provide details of new courses, please email education+training@icomos.org.nz.

Disclaimer:
ICOMOS NZ tried to ensure that the information contained in the linked table is accurate and up-to-date but we advise anyone interested in undertaking specific courses to undertake a thorough web search and contact the organisation directly for detailed information. This is not an exhaustive list of education and training providers. We will endeavour to update this information annually.

Professional development:

Cultural heritage practitioners who have undertaken overseas education and training are likely to lack education and training on the following topics that are particular to the NZ context, including:

1. Legislative, statutory and policy context for cultural heritage and planning
2. Historical development of NZ
   
3. International conservation as it relates to the NZ heritage context
   
4. Range of cultural heritage monuments, buildings and sites, groups and landscapes in NZ
5. Building traditions & technologies
6. Climatic conditions and mechanisms of decay
7. NZ cultural heritage conservation and management practice
8. ICOMOS NZ Charter
9. Social and community expectations surrounding cultural heritage conservation and management.

ICOMOS NZ considers these are good topics for NZ-run short courses to supplement overseas education and training. However, such short courses cannot replace formal, comprehensive cultural heritage education and training. Given the continuous development of best practice cultural heritage conservation and management, all practitioners need to keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date. Attending short courses, conferences and training workshops can be a useful form of professional development.

ICOMOS NZ has prepared two lists of available short courses and conferences to guide potential and current heritage practitioners towards education and training programmes that it considers appropriate.

A table of New Zealand based short courses and conferences is provided, ordered by date. A list of international short courses and conferences has also been prepared, ordered alphabetically by country and then by provider. Courses and conferences range from ½ day workshops, 1-8 week courses to research fellowships, and cover a broad range of heritage-related topics.

Short courses can offer, depending on their purpose and length, a broad introduction to cultural heritage conservation or in-depth training in a specific topic. Some courses are by invitation only or selected on the basis of skill level or candidate background. However, they are not a substitute for a comprehensive education and training in cultural heritage conservation.

A sound theoretical background leading to a formal qualification, practical experience and specific short courses will provide the best on-going training and continuing professional development for cultural heritage practitioners.

For further information or to provide details of new courses, please email education+training@icomos.org.nz.

Disclaimer:
ICOMOS NZ tried to ensure that the information contained in the linked table is accurate and up-to-date but we advise anyone interested in undertaking specific courses to undertake a thorough web search and contact the organisation directly for detailed information. This is not an exhaustive list of education and training providers. We will endeavour to update this information annually.

ICOMOS NZ considers that any future NZ cultural heritage education/training programmes should:

1. Be consistent with the ICOMOS Guidelines for Education and Training in the Conservation of Monuments, Ensembles and Sites
   
2. Be consistent with the HCOANZ heritage training and education policy
   
3. Have the potential to provide a profound understanding of conservation practice
   
4. Provide a sound working knowledge of the Athens Charter and other ICOMOS Charters, including the ICOMOS New Zealand Charter 2010
   
5. Provide comprehensive understanding of the history and theory of conservation
   
6. Give a working knowledge of building technologies and processes of decay
   
7. Promote on-going contacts beyond the course for peer support.

ICOMOS NZ would welcome discussions with any providers wishing to develop education or training programmes that meet the above criteria. Please email education+training@icomos.org.nz.