As part of the IHBC’s evolving Membership Accreditation Training Events (MATEs) programme – that advise on accreditation applications – we’re offering free online sessions to pilot new streamlined application forms.
FREE IHBC MATE SESSIONS: Piloting streamlined accreditation forms
CPD-certified advice on applying for IHBC accreditation (Full & Associate)
SIGN UP FOR YOUR CHOSEN SESSION HERE
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- Church, church building and Places of Worship organisations: 9 December 2.30pm
- Local Authority staff: 11 December 2.30pm
- Private sector staff: 13 December 2.30pm
ALL WELCOME BUT NUMBERS LIMITED
MORE SESSIONS TO COME IN 2025
IHBC Chair David McDonald said: ‘I’m pleased to welcome this new series of MATE sessions. Having attended and assisted with previous events, I can testify to their value in ‘demystifying’ IHBC accreditation.
‘And we’re really delighted to be launching this new ‘piloting’ stage in the streamlining of our accreditation application forms.’
‘As we move ahead, these and wider developments in our support for IHBC accreditation will help extend the IHBC’s reach, networks, profile and impacts. Current changes aim to simplify access to our practice standards by minimising the procedures that underpin our assessment of competence in interdisciplinary conservation practice.’
IHBC Membership Secretary Andrew Shepherd said: ‘Our Membership and Ethics Committee has been working hard to refine, reduce and clarify the accreditation forms, and this is a great chance to feed into the process.’
‘We’re also looking to test forms across sectors and building types, so where possible do sign up for the MATE session that best suits your skills and employment. If the session is full, do remember we’ll be refining and repeating the exercise in 2025.’
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘Our new forms also complement the IHBC’s evolving MATE service, as we look to expanding our pool of MATE session leads and providers.’
‘MATE leads need to be in command of some very specific skills, not least as our accreditation model can be so unfamiliar to even the most experienced applicants.’
‘IHBC accreditation establishes personal interdisciplinary competence in conservation, and so involves setting aside – but never over-riding – received ideas about practice and assessment.’
‘In our accreditation, for example, we’ll want you to tell us what you don’t know, as well as what you do know. We also need to understand how you apply and interpret standards outside your primary practice areas as well as within them.’
‘Clearly qualified MATE leads and providers must be practitioners fully capable of advising on our unique brand of interdisciplinary built and historic environment conservation practice. And as thanks for serving as a MATE session lead, we pay MATE service leads.’
‘So if you are interested in developing the skills a MATE lead needs, you can start by joining one of these sessions, or registering your interest by following up the guidance below.’
IHBC’s Operations Director Fiona Newton writes:
The IHBC’s new round of MATE sessions offers free places at our 2-hour online accreditation guidance sessions, all available on a ‘first come’ basis, with CPD certificates available for completion.
Current Pilots
See more background on the current pilots see HERE
MATE Session Leads and Providers: Registering Interest
Please email admin@ihbc.org.uk attaching your application letter before the closing date, accompanied by a detailed CV, stating why you think you should be appointed to join this network of Recognised MATE providers.
If you have any queries about the position please contact Seán O’Reilly, IHBC Director, by email, at director@ihbc.org.uk
See more background on the developing programme HERE
