16th January 2008, 03:20 PM
I also started as a volunteer on an excavation where others were paid, but that was because there was no other choice. I also got started properly on an MSC scheme (Manpower Services Commission, not Master of Science - for the younger members) after being unemployed for 6 months - also pretty much the only way to get work at the time. I welcome the fact that new entrants to the profession of archaeology are actually paid to do the work and would not want that to change back to the older ways of doing things.
With regard to volunteers, the point made many years ago was always that it was not reasonable to use a volunteer (unpaid, albeit not free) in place of a paid member of staff (also not free, and not just because of the pay aspect - there are other things, such as paid leave, that are part of a paid job) on commercial projects. I've never heard it said that you can't use volunteers at all, they may have skills/information in addition to the core professional skills of the staff, but should not act as a cheaper replacement for them.
So, all in all, there are definately projects where involvement of volunteers is entirely appropriate and a positive thing. They should not, however, be replacing individuals who are more able to deal effectively with a finite resource simply because they are cheaper.
With regard to volunteers, the point made many years ago was always that it was not reasonable to use a volunteer (unpaid, albeit not free) in place of a paid member of staff (also not free, and not just because of the pay aspect - there are other things, such as paid leave, that are part of a paid job) on commercial projects. I've never heard it said that you can't use volunteers at all, they may have skills/information in addition to the core professional skills of the staff, but should not act as a cheaper replacement for them.
So, all in all, there are definately projects where involvement of volunteers is entirely appropriate and a positive thing. They should not, however, be replacing individuals who are more able to deal effectively with a finite resource simply because they are cheaper.