Kate Borland, IHBC Full Member and former trustee, and IHBC Affiliate, Katie Wray, both from the IHBC’s North West Branch, feature alongside IHBC’s membership benefits in current guidance on the UK’s official careers website, Prospects.
Kate Borland, formerly the North West Branch trustee on the IHBC’s Council, and a graduate of Sheffield Hallam, writes that ‘the best part of working in this sector is working with like-minded people who ‘get’ historic buildings, as well as seeing some of those ‘dusty old’ buildings being given a new lease of life and knowing that you’ve played your part in that.’
Membership of the IHBC, Kate continues, ‘provided me with many benefits and has enabled to me access a wide network of fellow historic building professionals…. My advice to students and graduates is to do some work experience and join the IHBC. It is also important to find someone who will mentor you as their advice and guidance is a great support, not just when you’re starting out but also throughout your career.’
Katie Wray, a Durham university history graduate with a Masters in Planning from the University of Manchester, is finishing a part-time MSc in Architectural Conservation with the University of Central Lancashire.
Katie’s advice is ‘to start reading and expanding your knowledge on different periods of architectural history. Get work experience and also get involved with the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC). You will able to meet people already in the profession and attend seminars.’
Prospect, the careers website, also advises: ‘Becoming a full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and undertaking agreed levels of continuing professional development (CPD) is a key part of career development and will facilitate progression to more senior posts.’
Prospect notes too that ’Training for historic building conservation officers often occurs in the workplace, but it is essential to keep abreast of legislation, compliance and reporting requirements through training and continuous professional development (CPD) in line with the membership requirements and standards of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).’
On employment profiles and vacancies, it also notes that ‘around half of members of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) work in the private sector. A selection of private sector employers is listed by the Historic Environment Service Providers Recognition (HESPR) scheme.’
For the job description of a historic buildings inspector/conservation officer see: LINK
For entry requirements see: LINK
For training see: LINK
For career development see: LINK
For employers and vacancy sources see: LINK
For Kate’s profile see: LINK
For Katie’s profile see: LINK
For ‘Prospects’, the UK’s official graduate careers website, see: LINK
