This paper aims to review recent changes in conservation concepts and practice and the consequent changing tasks of the conservator and to consider the implications of these significant developments for textile conservation education. The shift in conservation practice to embracing a wider approach including holistic preventive conservation will be illustrated through a review of published conference papers and job advertisements. Alongside this, there has been an increasing use of quantitative methods to evaluate conservation treatments. These developments, and the continuing need to balance theory and practice in conservation education, are explored using the example of two student projects completed for the three year postgraduate Diploma course offered at the Textile Conservation Centre. A personal view of the current Diploma course as a preparation for professional life is presented by Anna Javér who completed the Diploma in 1997. Changes in conservation practice and the conservator'ss tasks, coupled with a changing academic environment in the United Kingdom, are leading to changes in conservation education and training. The need to maintain quality and standards through appropriate change is critical. The new Masters programme in Textile Conservation to be offered by the Textile Conservation Centre from 1999 will be discussed in the light of this developing professional and academic context. -- SCMRE