• • a1n1 training providers through the Scottish Conservation Forum, and quality control of grant-aided work. South of the border, English Heritage's work on 'Framing Opinions' and the new 'Roofs of England' campaign are good individual initiatives, but they are no substitute for the co-ordinated overview and approach which are needed to refocus training in the building industry, in tandem with raising the quality of the broad spectrum of refurbishment work. COTAC strongly favours accreditation of specialist contractors, but in my view this can only be part of the solution, given how much conservation and historic building work is carried out by general builders rather than specialists. In this context, the arrival of NVQs has provided a great opportunity to set new standards within a recognised national structure. There have been difficulties in drafting the new higher level NVQs to meet the strictly specified national and industry-wide formats, and the course providers have been rightly concerned that the NVQ structure is not well suited to testing holistic understanding of conservation. These drawbacks have been balanced to a great extent by the opportunities which the NVQs have offered: (i) to provide nationally-agreed recognition of the roles and tasks of specialists in building conservation (and hence the basis for key competencies and performance standards); (ii) the qualification structure which allows those doing the job to prove competence by providing evidence in and from the workplace. In practice, the NVQ trials have shown how holistic understanding can be tested in the assessment process. The NVQ in Conservation Control (level 4) has been developed specifically for Conservation Officers and others involved in the control process. The "underpinning broad areas of knowledge and understanding" required for the NVQ are based on the IHBC's approved Areas of Competence and Range of Duties, relevant extracts from which preface all except one of the NVQ's thirteen Units. The NVQ comprises five Core Units (nos. 1-5) all of which must be achieved, seven Optional Units of which two must be achieved, and one Additional 26 Unit. This structure provides for the range of professional experience which candidates may reasonably be expected to have after two years of post-degree work experience, or five years' experience without a relevant academic qualification. The 'Promote conseroation policy Unit involves the promotion of conservation through: advice to applicants and the general public; exhibitions, publications, lectures etc.; operation of a grant aid programme; and provision of a general conservation advice service. 'Maintain compliance with conservation requirements' involves: assessing proposals and, where necessary, works already carried out; deciding whether or not consent is required and taking appropriate action; processing applications; negotiating amendments; and presenting recommendations. The third Unit 'Investigate conservation factors' relates to investigation and analysis of key factors affecting the site, including community interests, historical and cultural value, and problems and possibilities, actual and potential; and reaching and presenting a conclusion. The 'Adviseonproposalsforconservation' Unit involves initial advice, negotiations, ensuring that proposals take account of all relevant conservation considerations, supervising building repairs for grant aid purposes, and ensuring compliance with consent conditions. The 'Maintain relationships and resolve complex problems within an ethical framework! Unit involves: maintaining a high standard of technical and philosophical awareness, and communicating it to others; behaving with probity and setting a good example; and establishing relationships with clients in a way that generates goodwill and trust. The first of the Optional units (two of which should be achieved) is 'Monitor and develop conseroation policy which involves monitoring the effects of existing conservation and planning policies, and other relevant events; assessing findings and identifying emerging trends; reporting and recommending action; establishing and implementing conservation policies; and preparing and operating policies and projects (e.g. CAPS and enhancement schemes). The 'Investigate and advise on property management factors' Unit relates to facilitating the effective use and New peg tile roof on rear wing of house at Chittering, Combs. Building at Risk, subject to Repairs Notice, Listed Building Consent and detailed specification negotiated with new purchaser by South Combs. DC Conservation, which provided grant aid (performance evidence could be provided for Controlling Conservation NVQ Units 3 'Investigate conservation factors', 11 'Assess the condition of property', 7 'Investigate and advise on property management factors', 2 'Maintain compliance with conservation requirements', 4 'Advise on proposals for conservation', and 5 'Maintain relationships'); new Cambridgeshire peg tiles used (Controlling Conservation Unit 1 "Promote conservation policy"); manufacture of the tiles resulting from conservation initiative to reintroduce the manufacture of hand-made tiles from local gault clay (this reintroduction might be 'an advance in the body of knowledge and practice' within the terms of Unit 13). Note the quality of detailing and workmanship, with traditional details (half tiles to verges, neat tiled skirting to chimney); there is no conservation craft NVQ to cover traditional peg tiling! Peg tiles by the Cambridgeshire Tile & Brick Co Ltd, Goose Hall Form, Burwell, Combs (01638 743953), a company wholly owned by the Cambridgeshire Historic Buildings PreservationTrust; the tileworks was set up with grant aid from English Heritage and the local authorities. Context 56 December 1997
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