Icon represents around 2,300 conservator-restorers across more than 150 specialisms, many of which are practiced by only a few individuals. In highly specialised areas, there is growing concern that essential conservation skills developed over generations could be lost without action and better alignment between training and market demand.
While tools like the Heritage Crafts Red List highlight endangered craft skills, there is less focus on conservation skills at risk. With the support of the Pilgrim Trust, Icon’s Skills at Risk project aims to identify vulnerable skills across the conservation workforce and assess demand from employers and clients to help ensure training supports a sustainable future for heritage conservation.
The Skills at Risk Research Project
Icon developed a research methodology to ensure it effectively assesses the level of risk facing specialist conservation skills. This 18-month project will produce a detailed Conservation Skills at Risk Report and delivery plan with short-, medium-, and long-term objectives. Research will examine areas of conservation practice, allowing deeper analysis of niche specialisms most vulnerable to skills shortages, with the support of steering committees. The first focus area is textile conservation, and the areas are split between 10 research packages.
Findings will be published throughout the project, with the full research phase expected to conclude in early 2028. Key outcomes will include a published report identifying at-risk skills and sector demand, a plan for targeted interventions and advocacy, sector events raising awareness, training initiatives to preserve endangered skills, and a public engagement programme delivered with heritage partners.
You can find the research methodology here:
Heritage Skills at Risk - Research Methodology and Approach
The reports will be published here through the project. If you have any questions or would like to contribute to the project, please get in touch with us at [email protected].