Development Route Map

Once you have completed an assessment of your experience and your current abilities you will be able to see more clearly which aspects of practice you might wish to develop

This process should be ongoing and can be used to record your progress after each development opportunity. Bear in mind that some of your goals are likely to be long-term plans while others might be more attainable in a shorter space of time. 

Points to consider:

• what you want to develop or learn and why
• the method(s) you anticipate using
• how you intend to use these methods
• a realistic target date for completion and review

Once you’ve thought through what your goals are, the next step is to think of how you are going to achieve them

Your targets need to be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound).  This is also where you will want to revisit your skills audit to help you identify what training or development opportunity will enable you to achieve your goal.

Points to consider:

• skills – do you need to develop a skill? Who could help you? What do you do best and could you develop this further?
• goals - do you have an ambition to achieve a certain goal over the next 12 months? Do you have any long-term goals - for example, achieving a senior position, starting your own business? What barriers could be in your way?
• put your goals/needs in order of importance and identify target dates that you feel are realistic but sufficiently challenging

There are endless possibilities for you to continue your development as a conservator. These can be formal or informal and are certainly not restricted to attending courses and conferences. Your practical experience on projects, self-directed reading and discussions with colleagues are just as valuable. 

The following list of CPD activities may give you some inspiration - and if an opportunity doesn't seem to exist, create it!

• read relevant articles/newsletters/books/websites
• talk to other conservators
• join Icon Groups
• volunteer to serve on an Icon Group committee 
• visit museums/galleries
• attend university conservation department open days
• practice IT skills
• seek an Icon mentor

• work experience
• in-course placement
• internship
• secondment
• volunteer
• work exchange
• studio/store/display visit
• open day
• demonstration
• study tour
• take part in a workshop or attend a conference

Academic study is one of the most direct routes to getting and developing new skills

Make sure to check the course content closely to ensure it is going to help you develop the right skills to meet your goals. Icon does not endorse any particular conservation course. However, we do advise which academic courses teach our Professional Standards in Conservation - please see our up-to-date Directory.

The aim of reflection is to identify what you have learnt so far, either over your career or on a project-by-project basis

It is particularly helpful to summarise your thoughts after events such as a training programme, work project, research or other relevant activities outside of your conservation work. 

Questions to ask:

• Did it work out as you expected?
• What was the most successful part of the project/activity?
• Would you consider using a similar approach in the future?
• Would you do things differently next time?
• What would you do the same?
• Has your knowledge and understanding changed?
• Has your perspective or approach changed in any way?

Accredited conservators (ACRs) have a responsibility to maintain professional standards by adhering to the Code of Conduct and keeping up-to-date through ongoing career development.

A mandatory CPD process applies to all ACRs to ensure a high standard of conservation across the profession. All ACRs are periodically recalled by Icon to submit a CPD review.

Recall notifications are sent to a sample of ACRS each year between February and March. If on the recall candidates will have until May / June of that year to submit the recall documentation. 

For further information please click here. 

Planning, assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of activities you have undertaken is essential. The CPD Log sheet can be used for each activity you undertake and can help you keep on top of what it is that you have done, what you have learned and what you should do next. 

CPD Review Form