| Training | Training the trainers | Short Courses | ||||||
| Careers | CPD | Qualification in Archaeological Practice |
Training
Professional training and a career structure in archaeology
Defining Professional Functions and Standards in Archaeology
Colleagues, clients, funding bodies and course providers will increasingly rely on archaeologiststo demonstrate that they have agreed standards for archaeological practice. Among employers, UK,Scottish and Welsh governments and in the European Union there is a growing requirement for professions to have recognised standards.
We can no longer carry on with a situation where anyone can practise as, and call themselves, an archaeologist, either as professionals or volunteers. To safeguard the archaeological heritage and promote our discipline, we need a way of demonstrating competence in archaeological skills - as isdone in many other occupations. For the individual archaeologist, having recognised standards will make it easier to identify training needs and ways to improve his or her skills.
We have developed a good practice guide for training and professional development. It can be downloaded here.
Project Reports
On behalf of the Archaeology Training Forum, the IfA has worked with Cultural Heritage NationalTraining Organisation (CHNTO) to map a career structure for archaeology. This project has involved the establishment of National Occupational Standards for Archaeological Practice and marks a sea-changeof attitude towards education and vocational training in archaeology. National Occupational Standards are agreed statements of competence which describe the work outcomes required for an individual to achieve the standard expected of them in work. They are the building blocks of S/NVQs but can be used in a number of other ways as well; for example, to write job desriptions or to identify skills needs and plan training. Three case studies illustrating the use of NOS can be downloaded below.
Project to define professional functions and standards in archaeological practice. Final Report. Dr S. Carter & A. Robertson 2002. (PDF).
Occupational and Functional Mapping of the Archaeology Profession. Dr. S. Carter & A. Robertson. 2002. (PDF).
Case study 1: English Heritage - designing an internship
Case study 2: Foundations Archaeology - carrying out a skills audit
Case study 3: Oxford Archaeology - writing job descriptions
The full suite of Occupational Standards is hosted at the TORC website
This project was undertaken by consultants from Q-West and Headland Archaeology.
Archaeological Training: Fieldwork Skills and Training Excavations
Information has been gathered on the fieldwork training currently available in the UK, comparing this with provision in other European countries. This report also examines training needs and the implications for the design of training initiatives in the future. Project Report: Fieldwork Skills and Training Excavations. Pip Stephenson. (PDF).
Funding training in the 21st Century - Paper given by Kate Geary at IfA's 2008 Conference
Council for British Archaeology Fieldwork Opportunities Briefing
