Waterford Institute of Technology’s (WIT) new Bachelor of Science in Applied Conservation Skills course is the first of its kind in Ireland and is designed to up-skill construction professionals in the conservation of historic buildings, applying both practical and research principles.
The innovative course, run by the Department of Architecture in conjunction with Waterford City Council, allows students work on live conservation projects as well as attend SETU for theory based modules. The course is designed to address some real deficits in knowledge of this area facing the current construction industry and aims to provide its graduates with market advantage in an expanding area.
The unique add-on one year, Level 7 degree programme is an accelerated programme for up-skilling qualified construction trades people, construction professionals and other operatives in building conservation, and it seeks to impart a range of skills which will enable them to perform competently, effectively and creatively within the conservation and conservation-related construction fields. The course is also designed to equip students with the skills required to function in a supervisory capacity on building conservation projects.
According to current student Brian Whelan from Waterford City, “This course is run to a really high standard and I am delighted that I enrolled on to it. The traditional construction skills that I have learned and the IT skills will stay with me for the rest of my life. The course has opened up new doors for me in the practice of conservation and will lead to new opportunities for work. I would strongly recommend this course to anyone interested in the conservation of old buildings and their settings”.
“I have always had an interest in Waterford City’s old buildings. When I heard about the Applied Conservation Skills course at SETU, I knew it would be a course I would be interested in, coming from a construction background,” says Neil Kelly, also from Waterford City. “It was great to be shown and taught some of the traditional methods in building construction by highly experienced lecturers; it was also good to know that the lecturers come from trade backgrounds and gained their experiences through site experience and not just from books. We were also taught IT and CAD which have proved very helpful. There is a lot of hard work involved, but, it will be worth it when you have your degree in Applied Conservation and hopefully open some doors in the future as there are more grants available in conservation and having this degree will allow me to work on these protected structures”.
Michael Dunne from Stradbally says, “The course is very interesting with a good mix of practical and theory. To get the most from the course the student should have an interest in old buildings and historical methods of construction. The assignments can be quite challenging and require a lot of time, but having an interest in the subject helps a lot. The lecturers and instructors are enthusiastic about conservation and are very helpful which makes it a lot easier for mature students returning to education”.
“I am delighted with my decision to enrol in this course; already it has instilled confidence in my abilities to competently manage conservation projects,” says Shane Gorby from Enniscorthy. “The course is very diverse and is aimed at giving the student all the required skills and knowledge to advise, manage and apply traditional skills according to conservation principles. The lecturers are fountains of knowledge and deliver their classes in a professional manner and have the ability to incorporate quick-witted banter which makes it a joy to come to college”.
The course consists of a number of modules over two semesters which combine practical workshop and specialist artisan knowledge with an introduction to the theoretical basis for best conservation practice and current Irish legislation governing it. Students will manage change in protected structures in a way that retains character and qualities of special interest and demonstrate knowledge in research of historical building development. They will learn to recognise materials, craftsmanship and techniques of previous generations and treat them according to conservation principles.
Current students come from a primarily construction/trades background and a number are taking the programme as part of a back to work partnership scheme between the Department of Social Protection and Waterford City Council.
Anyone interested in applying for next September should visit www.wit.ie/wd189, contact[email protected]"> [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].