The ATF Training Award

Submitted by Amanda Forster on Monday 18 February 2013

Recognising excellence in learning, training and professional development

The ATF Training Award recognises and promotes best practice in training or professional development in archaeology.

The award aims to recognise excellence in the fields of learning, training and professional development and is open to archaeological organisations, individuals, partnerships and collaborative projects throughout the United Kingdom, whether paid or voluntary. Entries must demonstrate an overall commitment to learning or training, and an innovative approach to best practice. In particular the judges will be looking for entries which:

  • Reference appropriate skills needs data for the sector (paid or voluntary)

  • Demonstrate clear benefits that go beyond the organisation itself, either to the sector, community or to individual employees or volunteers

  • Make reference to National Occupational Standards
    Show commitment to Continued Professional Development

  • Demonstrate an innovative approach or involve the development of best practice

  • Show commitment to recognised professional standards and ethics

Entries might include:

  • Development and successful implementation of innovative training plans

  • Innovative ways of maximising limited resources

  • Innovative ways of supporting professional development

  • New ways of recognising and rewarding on the job learning

  • Investing in staff or volunteers/skills generally

  • Investing in the sector (paid or voluntary)

  • Investing in/developing specialist skills

  • Transfer of skills/succession planning

  • Partnerships between employers and educators

  • Partnerships between professional and amateur groups

The Award will be judged by an ATF panel consisting of representatives from the Council for British Archaeology, the Institute for Archaeologists, FAME, the National Heritage Agencies, Higher Education Academy and from last year’s winning entries. The award will be presented at the 2013 IfA Conference; the winner will receive a certificate and publicity for their work through the ATF network.

An application form can be downloaded from the TORC website at www.archaeologyuk.org/training/atf.html.

The closing date for applications is 15 March 2013 and the award will be presented at the IfA Conference in April 2013.