Careers Information

JOBS IN CONSERVATION

Q. What jobs are there in building conservation ?

A. There are very few paid jobs in building conservation that do not rely on a specific technical training and skill. Where such jobs do exist they tend to be low paid and highly sought after. Vacancies occur by chance so it is virtually impossible to plan ahead for a career in the field. It’s almost entirely a matter of luck and persistence. People sometimes hope to get into the field mid-career after stressful jobs elsewhere, and wrongly assume it is easy to find a lower paid post with a heritage/historic buildings body. There are two principal ways of working with old buildings:
  • as a conservation architect, planner, conservation officer, surveyor, builder, craftsman etc. These all require professional training.
  • as an administrator working for bodies like the National Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund, or English Heritage, Historic Scotland etc. Jobs for art and architectural historians are few, and competition is very fierce.
Many organisations in the field, like the SPAB, building preservation trusts, etc. rely almost entirely on volunteers with a largely clerical support staff directing their work. Within the tourist industry there is room for those with heritage interpretation training, and courses in this do exist.

If you have no technical background you might consider offering yourself as a volunteer to bodies like the National Trust. This would at least give you something of an insider’s view of what might be available, and let them get to know your face. However, this is no guarantee of a way in.
 
Short and long courses exist, but with the exception of the SPAB’s weekend course for owners, these are mainly aimed at those with technical qualifications.
 
There is a serious shortage of building craft skills in certain parts of the country. If you have the aptitude and are prepared to train, there may well be openings. However the building trade does depend on the economic cycle so demand for your skill may fluctuate.
 
 
Further Information
 
Conference on Training in Architectural Conservation, c/o Building Crafts College, Kennard Rd, London E15 1AH.
The Building Conservation Directory published by Cathedral Communications Ltd, High St, Tisbury, Wilts SP3 6HA has information about courses and training or visit their website at www.buildingconservation.com 
 
You can also contact the Education department at SPAB who may be able to give some advice.   education@spab.org.uk