Engine Shed is a class act for new course
Partners in an innovative new post graduate course linked to Stirling’s new Engine Shed project are confident it will fill a gap in practical building conservation training in Scotland.
The advanced professional diploma in technical building conservation, at SCQF level 11, has been created by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Forth Valley College and approved by the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA).
The first students began their studies based at the Engine Shed in Forthside last month.
The facility is the new national centre for building conservation and also acts as base for HES’technical conservation outreach and educational activities, with laboratories for HES conservation scientists and digital documentation unit.
All students on the course will be enrolled as FVC students with access to the college’s learning resource centres, online learning platforms and recreational facilities.
The new programme of modules – which can be studied full-time over a 10 month period or part-time focuses on the nature, use and repair of traditional building materials, in Scottish architectural and construction traditions, and guided by international conservation principles and practices.
Candidates – who will range from seasoned industry professionals to recent graduates in architecture, surveying, planning, engineering or archaeology will learn to manage conservation projects, and study methods of documenting, upgrading, adapting and managing the historic built environment, including the need for sustainable sourcing of replacement materials.
There is also emphasis on practical repair, monitoring and maintenance work.
The course provides access to national and international experts in the field, including materials scientists, traditional craftsmen and leading conservation experts. Students gain insights into major repair schemes, undertaking site visits and fieldwork at projects across Scotland.
FVC head of construction Ian Morrison said:“This exciting new course will take building conservation training to the next level in Scotland.
“Our relationship with HES is important to us and is shown by the success of their stonemasonry skills centre based at our Stirling campus.
“We are confident this new initiative will be just as successful and help fill a gap in the market for training construction professionals to work on traditional skills conservation projects of the future.”