Training requirements for diggers

[Hal Dalwood]

I want to broaden the discussion of how the archaeological profession can and should adapt in a time of rapid change. On another thread I suggested that:

quote:I would argue that more and better training is necessary, in order to cope with the demands of actually undertaking archaeology. Training should provide not just technical skills and personal skills, but the knowledge and understanding of the bigger picture of Archaeology (capital A).

Later on I asked specificacally about training for diggers:

quote:It would be interesting to know what training diggers reading this would like to have. Is it formal training in specifically archaeological skills? Or is it the chance to exercise greater reponsibility and develop through experience?

That thread was perhaps the wrong place to ask that question, so I want to start a new thread. I would like to know what diggers think about this.

Hal Dalwood

Bad archaeologist, worse husband

[chiz]

but surely this very question has been extensively answered? Surely the new NVQs address this very issue? Or have I missed something?

[BAJR Host]

ditto


"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[Unitof1]

Theres plenty of trained diggers about, and they should stick to their unique selling point which is that they are prepared to work outside in the field-not be training fodder. I find it intriguing what training for them could be. Hay, you there, go and stand out side? I have got a feeling that you don’t like them to stand in a certain way because it does not fit in with your standards, recording sheets, databases, nvq rip.

I think that the council/government-supported units should disband and charity units should stick to out reach or supporting post excavation research. We don’t have to worry about museums because they gave up on archaeology a long time ago. But then I am totally mad

As part of the great unemployed self-employed where it is very difficult to tell when you are done for. I have to say that I am really looking forward to a total collapse in the archaeological so-called profession. It won’t come though and it did not happen last time as there is still considerable state subsidy in archaeology and for the many who will exploit archaeology. I see survival in these times as holding on to your unique selling point that for me is to work in the field. Without that nothing else follows (contrary to what I keep being told). It seems to me that there are many on this ether who will not be going back into the field and have not been in it for a long time. Hopefully if the downturn is server enough we will get to see what their unique selling points are.

[Hal Dalwood]

Bob wrote:

quote: but surely this very question has been extensively answered? Surely the new NVQs address this very issue? Or have I missed something?

OK, I'll rephrase my questions like this: I'd be interested if everyone who is a digger thinks that the set of skills set out in the NVQ in Archaeological Practice encompass [u]all</u> the skills that will help them advance in the profession?

Hal Dalwood

Bad archaeologist, worse husband

[chiz]

but surely during the extensive research into designing and setting up the NVQ's the opinions of diggers and supervisors were taken fully into account? Or have I missed something?

[chiz]

As far as I can see, the Level 3 NVQ you do a core set of units, including H&S, 'developing yourself' and research and analysis. This is all presumably case based. You then pick 2 out of three optional units, which appear to be a choice from intrusive/non-intrusive work, conservation/finds, and Information (classification, compilation and dissemination).

With no more info than that, I can't see how it will teach you everything, but no course does ALL of it, does it?

[chiz]

although NVQ 4 isn't really aimed at diggers, it seems to consist of 4 core units:
research and analysis, maintain compliance with arch. standards, contribute to advances in knowledge and practice, and 'develop yourself'

plus one optional from a choice of 6:
Policy (wanne be in the warm)
Project management (wanna be in the warm)
Investigation (don't mind getting cold every now and then)
Conservation (I think white coats make me look clever)
Information (I like playing solitaire)
Managing Collections (I sniff archive quality boxes)

It will depend on the actual syllabi, and how it is assessed. unfortunately I don't have the details yet, perhaps one of the 30 signed up will post a view from the inside.

I think its more about teaching awareness of the issues and how it all works at an early stage to be honest

[chiz]

Hal, what I wrote on another thread

quote: All university archaeology courses (including conservation etc) should have a mandatory field methods and techniques course run by someone who has a wide range of experience (not just paleolithic digs in 'the levant' or rescue sites in the 70's. That course should cover all the basics, including the history of archaeological techniques and be enough to give an awareness and a grounding in techniques to all students studying archaeology, even if they never want to set foot on a site. They will be using data from sites so they must know the basics. The course should have visiting lecturers from commercial and research units etc, specialists, curators who can give real life examples from within the last 5 years.

Any students considering going into field archaeology should then have access to modular courses, again with visiting lecturers as required, with seminars and workshops on subjects such as matrices and context sheets so they can be explained in depth. Practical skills and awareness of their uses should be taught, as should legislation, H&S issues, surveying, and all the MAP2 site to archive type stuff.

Universities need to link up more with units, I've suggested that evening seminars are held every year for students who may want to do some paid work where a supervisor from a local unit gives them a realistic insight into commercial work so they have an awareness and can ask questions. Lecturers should maybe be given time to do placements on sites so they can keep abreast of changes/keep in touch with reality, and university research digs should really use some commercial supervisors -I've done this, and it works well, even if it can show up the 'director' as being useless (not on the sites I worked on I hasten to add).
The whole 'someone else's problem of training' needs addressing, now most entrants are via university it should have got easier, not harder... Its about aptitude and attitude to a great extent, and those who are switched on can learn very fast, but they need to be given a framework within which to place this fast learning curve and that is best done at universities.
I welcome the NVQs, but they should be integrated into university courses in some way, and be rolled out properly, I sent a query to the IFA about two months ago and haven't had a response yet. The NVQs could sort this problem to an extent, if combined with effective CPD and coaching/mentoring, but it does rely on decent pay retaining sufficient experienced site staff to do this job and keep the pryamid stable

On and off-site I write and give out handouts on technical subjects, plus on finds and enviro, and used to do a weekly site chat after the safety 'toolbox talk' on fridays, as well as inviting specialists down to site to do seminars. That kind of thing can engage people and let them learn in a variety of ways, it doesn't give them all the answers but it does give them a framework. It won't be all about NVQ's but they are better than what is(n't) there at the moment.

And yes I do still consider myself a digger.

[Unitof1]

Hello folks the lights burning brightish here. I mostly spent the day mixing up my Christmas pud, three turns of the spoon followed by a wish. For this years special ingredient I went for sea buckthorn, sorry Fieldfares- spent half an hour on the beach squeezing berries into a pot. Lost the dog, spent another half an hour finding him and then two jobs came on to the books although I am not sure when the dosh will come to fruition but hope springs eternal…