Certification
As with any trade there is a certification program available to those who wish to pursue it. And so it is in dry stone. Dry Stone Canada does not have it own certification program. Instead, we encourage those interested in further developing their skills to seek certification with the following associations. Many of Dry Stone Canada members have attained some level of certification this way. Opportunities exist to be certified are available, on occasion, in Canada, but if you go to the links list below you will find information on certification, and dates to be tested, from the associations that offer it.
Dry Stone Canada recognizes the following associations for certification training:
Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA), Cumbria, United Kingdom
The Dry Stone Conservancy (DSC), Kentucky, USA
The Stone Trust, Vermont, USA
Certification in North America
Dry Stone Canada recognizes both the following associations’s certification programs as valid dry stone training:
The Stone Trust Certification Schedule (Vermont) follows DSWAUK Certification scheme
Dry Stone Conservancy Certification Schedule (Kentucky) has its own certification scheme (this program incorporates project management-related training)
Dry Stone Walling Association (UK) Certification Scheme
The DSWA GB Craftsman Certification Scheme is the leading, internationally recognized certification standard for dry stone walling. The DSWA certification levels are:
- Level 1/Initial
- Level 2/Intermediate
- Level 3/Advanced
- Master Craftsman
All descriptions of the testing process and marking sheets are available from the DSWA GB Certification Scheme Leaflet
Certified Members
Here is a list of our members who have gone through the process of certification. It is a grueling process and we applaud them for their efforts.
Name | Certification | City | Province/State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craig Beattie | Level 2 | Kingston | Ontario |
| John Bland | Level 2 | Baie-D'Urfe | Quebec |
| Menno Braam | Level 2, Certified Instructor | Toronto | Ontario |
| Jen Corrigan | Level 1 | Fauxburg | Nova Scotia |
| Kenny Davies | Level 3, Certified Instructor | London | Ontario |
| Kyle Devries | Level 1 | Kanata | Ontario |
| Sean Donnelly | Level 3, Certified Instructor | Kitchener | Ontario |
Kevin Hackson | Level 2 | Maxwell | Ontario |
| Jo Hodgson | Level 3 | Wakefield | Quebec |
Torben Larson | Level 2 | Putney | Vermont |
| Andre Lemieux | Level 3, Certified Instructor | Creemore | Ontario |
| Charles R Merredew | Level 1 | Merrickville | Ontario |
| Renee Nadeau | Level 1 | Toronto | Ontario |
| John Scott | Level 2, Certified Instructor | Perth | Ontario |
| Ken Tuach | Level 3 | Corner Brook | Newfoundland |
| Scott Young | Level 2, Certified Instructor | Vankleek Hill | Ontario |
Certification Testing
Certification testing will be held in October 2023. Payment for those registered can be via e-transfer or by Stripe below: