Pathway membership
Pathway membership is a dedicated Icon membership category open to all conservators who are working towards becoming an Accredited Member of Icon - Accredited Conservator-Restorers (ACR).
Pathway membership demonstrates that an individual has made a commitment to becoming an accredited member of Icon as part of their professional development plan. They have had to prove that they are a practicing conservator, with evidence that they either have a formal conservation qualification or at least five years’ relevant experience working as a conservator. They have not however been formally assessed by Icon against Icon’s Professional Standards but will be self-assessing their progress towards meeting them at the ‘proficient’ level prior to applying.
Why should I become a Pathway member?
- Demonstrate that you are actively pursuing accreditation regardless of your employment position (employed / self-employed, between posts or unemployed).
- Access support from an Icon Mentor with experience of the assessment process.
- Dedicated professional development opportunities and advice.
- Take part in an annual review to help you understand how you are progressing towards submitting an application.
- Support in monitoring and managing your own continuing professional development.
- Ability to attend events across the UK to help you as you go through the accreditation process.
What do I need to know about Pathway membership?
You must be a Pathway member to apply for Icon Accreditation. However, there is no set minimum or maximum time to be a Pathway member - it will depend on your individual circumstances - if you are a recent graduate you will be able to benefit from the support to help you in your career development before you move on to working on your accreditation. If you do have more experience you might find that you're registered for a much shorter period.
Why was the Pathway membership developed?
The 2019 review of Accreditation was built on the feedback gained from the 2018 membership survey, Accreditation consultation, and various focus groups and events. This highlighted the need to investigate:
- the cost of Accreditation.
- how the ‘Pathway’ designation was being used, and how effective it was in supporting members on their way to Accreditation.
As part of this review, the introduction of the Pathway member category has meant that the previous Stage One application form and associated fee has been removed. Applicants simply pay the appropriate assessment fee when they are ready to submit. The introduction of the Pathway also allows Icon to clearly verify that an individual is eligible for accreditation and is actively working towards it.