The School of Restoration Arts at Willowbank was founded in 2003 in the village of Queenston, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and began accepting students in 2006. Its three-year career college program is now recognised internationally as Canada’s premiere school in the conservation field. Courses are delivered by a faculty comprised of leading international practitioners in conservation, design and sustainability, including master tradespeople, designers, planners, academics and artisans. Innovation, interdisciplinary problem-solving and the integrated study of people, practice and place form the heart of our unique, experiential program.

As a dynamic organization in a rapidly changing landscape, Willowbank is deeply rooted by its values. These enduring principles reflect the essence of Willowbank's character, and they serve as the framework that will shape our future:

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1. WE ARE LEADING EDGE

2. WE BELIEVE IN ECOLOGY

3. WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S PLACE IN HISTORY

4. WE EVOLVE AND ADAPT

5. WE ARE INDEPENDENT

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Willowbank's flexible education model enables students to gain knowledge beyond the classroom by engaging with the real world. The Diploma program integrates three primary areas of study over the course of three years. The first two years feature intensive, eight-month sessions between September and April. In their third year, students transition into professional practice with six weeks of courses (in September) at Willowbank, combined with research projects or internships. Willowbank is a non-profit, registered career college.

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Willowbank's graduates achieve a 95% rate of employment and our alumni are already making an impact in the heritage field across a range of careers, from skilled trades to design firms and community development.

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Our diverse and growing network of graduates are becoming increasingly known for their ability to draw on comprehensive expertise to navigate the technical, social and cultural priorities associated with the built environment, both in North America and internationally.

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After graduating from our three-year diploma, our students work in a wide range of industries, including:

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• Construction

• Architecture

• Planning

• Government planning offices

• Personal consultancies

• Academia (research and teaching)

• Heritage trades