16th September 2005, 12:00 AM
Quote:quote:We have for some years used quality-based criteria before we will include any unit on a tender list. Nowadays we give preference to IFA RAOs. We do tend to stick with a limited number of units in any given region, on the basis that we have experience of them and know they do a good job. We have stopped including some units in the tender list on the basis of poor archaeological quality, but never for price reasons.
Hurrah! Sounds like progress being made.
On the topic of licences however, although I'm not against them, they wouldn't change the skill level of the people at the coal face now, would they? A gang of muppets working for a super field arch is not going to get much more out of a site than a gang of muppets led by another muppet.
This I feel is but one of the many problems with the IFA RAO system. The boss somehow meets the requisite standard to get the RAO but the unit average experience level might be generally low. One Unit that forever advertises on BAJR springs to mind. Really, any licensing scheme should include all levels, not just the unit bosses (who have probably long since packed away their trowels).