Introduction
The Conference on Training in Architectural Conservation (COTAC) was first convened in 1959 by a group drawn mainly from amenity societies and church authorities. They were concerned about the poor quality of repairs to the fabric of churches which had been inadequately maintained during the years of the War and had suffered bomb damage. They realised that one of the prime causes of this state of affairs was the extreme scarcity of architects who were capable of specifying and overseeing the work of repairing and conserving these historic buildings. The Conference set about remedying this deficiency by stimulating some schools of architecture to create postgraduate courses of study in the conservation of historic buildings. Among the first in this field were the University of Manchester, the Architectural Association, the Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies at York, and the Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh.
The need for specially trained professionals has become more pressing with the growing effect of conservation legislation in Great Britain and the increase in the public’s concern for the historic environment. Since COTAC began its work the number of buildings and other structures individually protected by statute has increased from 150,000 to 500,000. In addition, the Civic Amenities Act of 1967 extended protection to whole areas worthy of conservation known as Conservation Areas. There are now some 8,000 areas of towns and villages so protected, including about 1.3 million buildings. 2.5 per cent of the country’s whole building stock is subject to some form of direct statutory protection because of its historic or architectural significance. Caring for this built heritage - ensuring that repairs are correctly undertaken with appropriate materials, techniques and that adaptations are sensitively effected - has called for further training and education not only for architects but also for surveyors, engineers, planners, and those concerned with the control of work at both national and local government levels. COTAC has, therefore, both directly and indirectly encouraged the development of graduate and postgraduate education to meet this increased requirement.
Even if there were enough fully trained and competent professionals to specify, design, oversee, and control all the work that has to be done to keep the country’s heritage in use and good repair, it would still not be enough. Work on historic buildings demands highly skilled craftsmen in all the traditional building trades: carpenters and joiners, bricklayers, masons, plumbers, plasterers, and blacksmiths. These craftsmen must have not only the full range of their trades’ manual skills but also knowledge of vernacular building techniques and materials, and an understanding of the philosophy of building conservation. In the past, craftsmen developed these skills and knowledge through apprenticeship and a wide experience. Sadly, in recent years, the effect of labour-only subcontracting and the widespread use of modern materials and techniques have produced tradesmen who are both deficient in craft skills and with little or no understanding of historic vernacular building. COTAC has therefore sought to remedy these deficiencies by stimulating and supporting maintenance and conservation training for craftsmen. As a result there are courses of study at a number of colleges of further education at NVQ Level 3 and Diploma Level which are now producing the highly skilled and properly educated craftsmen that the nation needs.
Until the 1980s all the courses with which COTAC was concerned were graduate or postgraduate. The syllabi and standards of attainment were set by the universities in consultation with the appropriate professional institution, mostly with the RIBA and the RICS. With the advent of NVQs in 1986 however, COTAC has taken a more active role in the work of standards and accreditation. It was commissioned by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to develop the NVQs for crafts at level 3 and the Construction Industry Standing Conference (CISC) for technical and professionals at levels 4 & 5. Most recently it has been heavily involved in promoting and piloting the level 4 & 5 NVQs and is currently working with NHTG and Constuctionskills on development of Mastercraft qualifications and Mentoring arrangements.
Organisation
The policy and activities of COTAC are set by the Conference itself. A general meeting of all members of the Conference is held twice a year. The constituent members have changed over the years and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) now represents some amenity societies which were founding members. There is now a substantially increased membership from Government Departments and Agencies, organisations representing different aspects of the construction industry, the professions concerned with building and representatives of the universities and colleges engaged in conservation training.
The change in the pattern and the increased scope of building conservation training, with formal training being extended to craftsmen and craftswomen and with more emphasis being given to the training requirements of construction managers, have called for more concentrated and consistent management of the affairs of the Conference. An Executive Committee made up of trustees has been formed to ensure that the policies approved by the Conference are carried into effect. The activities directed by the Executive Committee are, for the most part, carried out by an Hon Secretary and a small staff of consultants.
Aims and Objectives
The general aim of the Conference is to advance the education of the public in the protection and preservation of buildings and structures (and their surroundings) which are of architectural or historical value and to provide training in the arts and skills required to protect and preserve such buildings and structures. In furtherance of that general aim COTAC has, with its member institutions, set itself the following more specific objectives:
> develop and produce training material;
> provide information on approved training courses and placements;
> provide lecturers and public speakers;
> publish newsletters;
> arrange seminars, conferences and exhibitions;
> coordinate actions with other voluntary bodies, agencies and local authorities with an interest in conservation;
> provide bursaries for studies in the UK and abroad;
> set and maintain standards for conservation education and training in the United Kingdom and to inform the general public of their existence.
Activities
Training Courses
COTAC publishes a comprehensive list of building and architectural conservation courses available in the UK.
The range of courses on offer still reflects the historical concentration on postgraduate courses for architects, surveyors and conservation officers but there are now clear movements into other areas of expertise. There are courses for craftsmen and mastercraftsmen and women, the latter including substantial elements of instruction into the management of conservation work and projects. That type of instruction is the more pertinent as the move towards smaller specialist firms among highly skilled craftsmen and contractors gathers pace. Significant progress has been made in terms of developing a framework that ensures consistency for all types of training.
The Professions
A general review of the whole construction industry, undertaken by CISC, resulted in the production of ‘an occupational map’. For the CITB (now Constructionskills) we developed level 3 Conservation NVQs for masons, bricklayers, plasterers, carpenters and joiners and decorators. For CISC we produced a level 4 conservation qualification for building site managers and for Conservation Officers. For chartered architects, surveyors and others there is a new level 5 mid-career qualification. Professional institutions, including the RIBA and the RICS undertake independent reviews. These have been an opportunity to improve conservation skills for generalists in each discipline through improvements in pre-entry education, and through Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Specialist registers of suitably qualified professions are generally in accordance with the ICOMOS Training Guidelines, mentioned above. COTAC will work with the relevant institutions to ensure that all the conservation qualifications fall within the agreed framework of national standards.
Most recently COTAC has actively supported and assisted in the work of the Edinburgh Group to evolve and agree common standard and consistency for accreditation across all professions.
Conservation Training for Managers
The last thirty years has seen an increase in the number of postgraduate conservation courses for professionals. More recently, the provision for the education and training of craftsmen in building conservation has also improved but, to date, there has been no specific education and training for managers in construction enterprises. Appropriately educated and competent trade and general foremen, clerks of works and site agents are crucial to the success of historic building operations. They need specific training in conservation just as much as do architects and craftsmen. As stated above, there is now a level 4 S/NVQ in Conservation Site Management. COTAC worked on the launch of this qualification with the CIOB.
Grants and Bursaries
As has already been indicated above, COTAC has been able to obtain funds to underwrite some of the cost of study visits made by tutors in the UK to their opposite numbers in other European countries. Further, some progress has been made in obtaining funds which enable students from other European countries to make study visits to educational establishments in the UK and vice versa. COTAC aims to secure some financial support for the students themselves. Training and education in building conservation for craftsmen is, quite rightly, a development for mid-career. It comes, as it should, after the craftsman or woman has thoroughly established basic competencies and craft skills. This means, however, that the people who wish to present themselves for additional conservation training are mature students who may not be eligible for normal public funded grants. COTAC works with charitable foundations and other benefactors to provide funding for bursaries which would enable promising and mature students to undertake the necessary training in conservation practices. The recently introduced HLF Bursary scheme should be very helpful for candidates who can satisfy the stated eligibility criteria.
Database
COTAC maintains a database, which currently concentrates on training centres and courses. This information should be linked to others covering firms of consultants and contractors specialising in heritage conservation, and the suppliers of traditional building materials. Up to date information about training sites and those enterprises capable of giving opportunities for job experience should also be added.
UK Projects
COTAC has provided specialist conservation advice for a project on Merseyside to establish a conservation training centre for long term unemployed workers. The three intakes of 12 trainees all successfully completed the training most obtaining NVQ qualification and all progressing to full time employment.
The organisation has acted as specialist conservation adviser to Stoke on Trent in the Training of Trainers and development of conservation training courses in the town at crafts and professional level
COTAC is has acted as consultant to an initiative in North Wales to establish a conservation-training centre based on a major historic estate with a substantial group of high quality listed buildings and historic parkland.
It has worked through a Single Regeneration Bid in the Kings Cross area in London, co-ordinating training at all levels for the local community as well as educational visits for schools and colleges.
COTAC worked in partnership with BRE, one of its members, to prepare a training and education plan for a Charity on an inner city site in Sheffield aimed at providing specialist building conservation training.
International Work
COTAC has played an active part in the cultural heritage work of the Council of Europe. It provided the UK representation on the Crafts and Heritage Skills Committee. It has worked through REFORM, another expert committee, to obtain harmonisation of qualifications concerned with what has been defined as ‘integrated conservation’. It has worked as partner in a number of European Union programmes.
The Future
COTAC has recently carried out a review of its role and aims and is in the process of preparing a 3-5 year plan for its future strategy. Now located at the Building Crafts College in Stratford, East London and close to the 2012 Olympics site, it is working closely with the College on their joint future development. More details will be published shortly on future plans.