Pay rates - going where?

[BAJR Host]

Not trying to draw you into anything too contentious here Chiz, only pointing out that currently (and this could be said of BAJR Grades) there is no measurable basis for competence at either G2 or PiFA for a field worker.

Practitioners (PIfAs) also
? have a good working knowledge of key aspects of historic environment practice
? are able to achieve tasks using their own judgment, whilst working under general
supervision
? appreciate complex situations and are able to achieve a partial resolution alone
? see actions as a series of steps and recognise the importance of each role in the
team

Its like my own version.. the G2 .. but non specific.

Here is the BAJR G2

General knowledge of work required, should be able to carry out work with instruction from Supervisor or a senior field worker. This rate would be for a person with perhaps 6 months ? 1 years work at this level. An entry-level role that requires candidates to have more relevant general knowledge of the sector than G1, usually gained through a postgraduate qualification, or hands-on experience and training.

Professional knowledge
General level of knowledge in chosen field.

Decision making and influence
Expected to work on short-term targets through an established procedure

Freedom to act
Only with the advice and guidance of more senior colleagues.

Communication
Ability to work as part of a team.

Ability to learn Qualifications
Likely to have degree and relevant postgraduate qualification (or equivalent qualification/experience/training).

Previous experience
Some relevant experience (perhaps 3-6 months)

this is from the 2009/10 BAJR Pay and Conditions Guidance
http://www.bajr.org/Documents/FinalBAJRP...009-10.pdf

Where are the specifics.. we do have the NOS (National Occupational Standards)
http://www.torc.org.uk/nos/framework.asp

But its not quite a simple system where the employer can see instantly what an individual is capable or... and conversely an individual is able to see what they need to meet recognised requirements.

Here is a simplified version:
What is your level of competance in the following;
Troweling
Levels
Trench Layout
Field Survey
Topographic Survey
Context Records
Finds Handling
Stratigraphic Excavation
Site Photography
Site Planning
Section Drawing
Sampling
Skeleton excavation
Site Safety
First Aid
Map Reading/Cartography
Site Formation Processes
Current Legislation
Field Survey Reporting

Standardisation in training - with real skills learned, real skills gained, real skills recorded and real skills available to contractors. Its a hard start for a simple problem.

For example, can you plan? I have to say I don't know, it does not mean you can't, it just means I have no way of knowing. Can you lay out a grid? I don't know, I think you can, but I have no way of knowing if you can. Etc... How good would it be, if students came out with the skills - and others could fill gaps in knowledge through targeted training.

When I was at the site with you recently, you had no way of knowing whether I was good at planning or not... until I was on the site and drawing..

This is like every other skill far too late if you have already picked your team and are out in the field to find that nobody knows how to use an SLR camera or how to take a sample for C14 dating... etc...

Watch this space. Then we can have a real touchstone for real archaeologists, be good for us and good for companies - IF they recognise that investment in skills is investment in the future. (ps... the costings I have for this sort of activity are modular - and can be gathered over time and if seen as part of university training, then costs to the individual are not in the 1000-1500 of the NVQ (Not saying teh NVQ is bad by the way - just expensive for those who have just landed a big debt after university, and out of reach of 99% of any digger/field archaeologists on the circuit)

Then and only then can an advert ask for field archaeologists with confidence. and get what they pay for.