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+--- Thread: Skills shortage (/showthread.php?tid=1915)
Skills shortage - Venutius - 9th June 2005
Just seen this odd piece on News 24. Apparently Heritage Professionals are at a loss to understand why there is a severe skill shortage.
Now I would suggest the a lobby group could be formed overnight, no release a press release expalining exactly why no-one wants (can afford, take the hassle etc.) to work in this sector.
Back that up with a website and you have an immediate effect. In my experience the powers that be are very good at ignoring those that cannot cause troublesome publicity. I think the "happy clappy" view of archaeology that has been carefully built up by EH, UK Gov and TV over the last few years serves as a great contrasting backdrop over which to splash this new message.
Save the Thornborough Henge Complex - http://www.timewatch.org
Skills shortage - deepdigger - 9th June 2005
Why are any of us not suprised at the skills shortage?
Because we all know lots of good people who have left the industry because of low pay and poor working conditions!
If ever there was a chance to let the public know the prediciment that we are in NOW is the moment. But how? I don't know exactly but I'm sure someone has an idea and if they do they can be assured of my full support!!
Mr Hosty?
deep
Skills shortage - BAJR Host - 10th June 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4074012.stm
This is the piece on BBC 24.
It refers to "A current lack of skilled craftsmen could threaten the future of England's historic buildings, research says."
it does not actually mention archaeologists I am afraid. :face-confused:
BAJR
Skills shortage - Curator Kid - 10th June 2005
Quote:quote:[i]It refers to "A current lack of skilled craftsmen could threaten the future of England's historic buildings, research says."
it does not actually mention archaeologists I am afraid. :face-confused:
BAJR
No it doesn't, and that's not surprising as it's a piece from English Heritage. The management there don't seem to give much of a fig about archaeology at the moment, but are much more concerned with buildings, which look nicer on their endless stream of poxy policy documents...
Skills shortage - Moley - 10th June 2005
Quote:quote:The management there don't seem to give much of a fig about archaeology at the moment, but are much more concerned with buildings, which look nicer on their endless stream of poxy policy documents...So, I?m not the only one to have spotted this trend. Why is it EH are making big noises about Listed Buildings but I?m hearing B*gger all about Scheduling? I recently heard a rumour that there was pretty much a freeze on scheduling and that designations teams in EH were being told (whether officially or unofficially I cannot say) to give priority to buildings and listings.
I can understand there?s a reluctance for EH to start scheduling things whilst they?re in the process of the designations review but that doesn?t change the fact that some things need protecting NOW and simply shouldn?t wait. Most curators I know can see where the development pressures are, and watch urban fringe development slowing creeping out towards important sites. One site I can think of has bits of it scheduled but other parts (equally as important and well preserved) are not. The scheduling desperately needs re-appraising since someone will almost certainly put a planning application in before long, (e.g. next week or month) but the local authority archaeologist has basically been told to whistle for it.
Is this pretty much the perception of things elsewhere or am I just being over-gloomy?
Skills shortage - Curator Kid - 10th June 2005
Moley, you're absolutely right. A couple of months ago I had confirmation of your rumour (from an EH employee) that Scheduling has been pretty much put on hold for now, with listing being given priority and Scheduling only done in emergencies. The Monuments Protection Programme looks like it has gone out of the window completely, so no-one is appraising sites adequately. In effect, archaeology is taking a back seat in the discussions about the historic environment, and it's unacceptable. Who knows what we are going to lose as a consequence. I know EH's budget has been cut, but that's no excuse for the shoddy treatment archaeology is getting from them at the moment. The designations review is supposed to be leading to a unified list which includes all historic sites - not just the nice buildings!
All I seem to get out of EH these days is a torrent of guidance and consultation papers, and weasley corporate promises about how they are doing things better, whilst at the same time the day-to-day reality is that they're more concerned with their outreach programmes and public image than with doing any real archaeological protection work. The direction that EH is taking at the moment is an absolute disgrace, and it's high time that someone started saying so.
Skills shortage - troll - 11th June 2005
Would`nt be the case that English Heritics have interpreted the Valletta Convention with an economic eye would it? Property development is big business you know......
Skills shortage - BAJR Host - 11th June 2005
Strangely.... As a Buildings Archaeologist (a real one !) I have seen buildings be ignored as part of our Heritage for years now... even now as a DC archaeologist it can be difficult to explain to a planner that buildings are archaeology sticking a bit out the ground... If you found a 17th century mansion on an excavation it would be recorded... same for one that is still standing. However.. it seems that the Buildings bandwagon has now well and truely been jumped on... ... hmmmmmmmm buildings... public see buildings..... money make from buildings we can... (as YODA - a lost accronym for English Heritage Working Group would say)
The hope is for a balance... and guidance is fine... policy documents are fine.. but they have to be enacted and used, understood and sensible. A Unified approach to Heritage... with subsections on Built Heritage, Standing Monuments, Sub Surface Monuments, Find Spots and Scatters would attach equal importance to each - as it is a bit of a judgment call to decide which is more important than the other.
Policy could be based on criteria that is cross relatable.. very much like the dreaded Statement of Cultural Significance formula!
Another day another WSI?
Skills shortage - deepdigger - 11th June 2005
The way that english heretics have laid off the best surveying team in britain just goes to show how much they think of archaeology!
If its not standing buildings that they can show off to the public then they just don't want to know!!
deep