27th November 2009, 06:32 PM
Warren asked this: Question, in a non-idealist view, what would drive the competition for increased skills? I don't think it would be a case of efficiency as it is more efficient to do a quick and bad job. I don't see how a developer client is interested in skills as long as the job gets done as cheaply as possible, so having more qualified staff isn't going to win contracts. So what's in it for the employer? (Accepting my own cynicism)
Price is not always the principal thing on which an archaeological project is awarded. Timetables and quality are also very important, as they actually reduce the risk to a project's programme. An organisation which uses expperienced people is more likely to have a good reputation on delivery and be used on big projects. In the end, a delay to programme because of an organisation employing people who aren't up to the job is usually a darn sight more expensive than extra money on the original budget. Most of the jobs I've awarded recently have had a weighting of about 30-40% for price and the balance on deliverability and quality.
And for the archaeological employer (as in an archaeological organisation), much better to have professional staff that you can reply on to do the job right first time, especially on fixed price contracts.
As to the proposals for ROs pay. At least there are pay minima for ROs. There aren't in the non Registered organisations.
Price is not always the principal thing on which an archaeological project is awarded. Timetables and quality are also very important, as they actually reduce the risk to a project's programme. An organisation which uses expperienced people is more likely to have a good reputation on delivery and be used on big projects. In the end, a delay to programme because of an organisation employing people who aren't up to the job is usually a darn sight more expensive than extra money on the original budget. Most of the jobs I've awarded recently have had a weighting of about 30-40% for price and the balance on deliverability and quality.
And for the archaeological employer (as in an archaeological organisation), much better to have professional staff that you can reply on to do the job right first time, especially on fixed price contracts.
As to the proposals for ROs pay. At least there are pay minima for ROs. There aren't in the non Registered organisations.