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+--- Thread: What's a General Operative in Irish archaeology (/showthread.php?tid=2137)
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What's a General Operative in Irish archaeology - kevin wooldridge - 11th February 2006
I wonder if there is anyone out there with a knowledge of Irish archaeological practices who could spare the time to explain the difference between a 'General Operative' and a 'Site Assistant'. Is a General Operative the same as a trainee and after how long does a GO metamorphose into an SA?
There is currently an ad for both grades on the BAJR jobs page which doesn't explain the diferences although the wages look a tad low (in comparison to normal Irish pay rates).
My ongoing wage survey http://www.freewebs.com/outwageuk has noted the first apparent wage increases of roughly 3% over 2005 rates, for Project Officers at Network and archaeologists at the University of Leicester, although this is offset by a wage decrease for newly appointed Assistant Project Officers at Gloucestershire County Council of nearly 6%!!
What's a General Operative in Irish archaeology - troll - 11th February 2006
General operatives in Ireland in my experience included members of the public who fancied a go and, Belgian tourists who got dragged over the fence whilst looking. There still seems to be a shortage of qualified types in Ireland and "general operative" seems to be a catch-all description of anyone without qualifications who fancies a go? Similar to our MIFA over here I guess.
..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)
What's a General Operative in Irish archaeology - kevin wooldridge - 11th February 2006
Quote:quote:Originally posted by troll
General operatives in Ireland in my experience included members of the public who fancied a go and, Belgian tourists who got dragged over the fence whilst looking. There still seems to be a shortage of qualified types in Ireland and "general operative" seems to be a catch-all description of anyone without qualifications who fancies a go? Similar to our MIFA over here I guess.
So when does a GO become a SA? Or is there a straight route to consultancy? [:I]
What's a General Operative in Irish archaeology - troll - 11th February 2006
I think the transition to butterfly is different from unit to unit so I don`t think there are any hard rules.By the way- over here-any f***whit can call themselves a consultant
I suppose a parallel would be the often-used terminology "trainee". My employer treats newly graduated site staff and non-qualified newbies roughly in the same way.Until they have spent a year full time working with and alongside experienced peeps-they don`t make the trsnsition to the dizzy heights of Site Assistant.There is, I believe, a difference in remuneration levels.Sorry I can`t be of more use.......
..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)
What's a General Operative in Irish archaeology - lucy78green - 11th February 2006
Depends on the company, first six months to a year in archaeology if you have no practical experience in field work then you get employed as a GO, and depending on whether or not you are willing to learn or are any good, you get bumped up. Some companies have created a grade in between GO an Site Assistant and only make people a SA after a year an a half. Dunno if this is good from a training/quality level or a money saving exercise. If there is a major staff shortage than a company will put up notices in the local job-centres for GOs and we generally get layed off labourers, etc. Depends on what their willing to learn as how useful they are, afterall it's not their main interest. Also students with little or no experience are employed as GOs. Since safepass came in there are not a ready supply of tourists gathered from youth hostels etc as GOs unless they are interested in archaeology enough to pay the 100 Euro to do safepass.
Lucy
What's a General Operative in Irish archaeology - kevin wooldridge - 11th February 2006
Thanks Troll and Lucy.
It seems hard to credit the imagination of the archaeological employer that came up with a post lower than Site Assistant, but at least in this case they pay above the BAJR minimum and not as low as some UK 'trainee' posts.
I suppose it's a case of a rose by another name...
What's a General Operative in Irish archaeology - disheartened - 13th February 2006
What do you mean by a grade between GO and site assistant? I know several companies have grades of site assistant? For my part, I have to say that I have never, to my knowledge, met anyone who started straight on Assistant level, degree or not. Everyone I know was a GO at the start. Usually bumped up after 6-8 months, depending on experience and ability, though if you company hop, it can be quicker or slower.
What's a General Operative in Irish archaeology - Digger - 13th February 2006
GO (general operative)- usually no experience in the field and no degree in archaeology. I've worked with an exmerchant navy seaman and an uni-qualified Cad designer who where GO's. Both excellent and hard working.Remember Irish archaeology will excavate 100 % of a site so there will be an enormous amount of dirt to shift (monstrous great ditches worth! e.g Johnstown KEK bypass if any one else out there worked on it), so having labourers on site can be a bonus.
Companies also have various levels for Uni-grads, depending on their experience levels, for when they start work. One point is that a lot actually take on people with less than six months experience.
What's a General Operative in Irish archaeology - flashdigger - 13th February 2006
Does anyone know if you can do the Safepass course in England before you actually go over to Ireland to work?
What's a General Operative in Irish archaeology - disheartened - 13th February 2006
Don't think so, but the place to find out is http://www.fas.ie