27th April 2010, 01:07 PM
Odinn Wrote:Someone snarkily commented about CPD earlier in this thread (I think) because they were happy at the level they were at in terms of job role. CPD is not just about getting training to get promotions. It is also about ensuring that your skills are up-to-date in your current role and that you are aware of the newest research and methodologies so that you can apply them where appropriate. This means that it is all about making sure that you are the best post-hole expert you can possibly be, not just about getting new skills so that you can get a job higher up the food chain. There, that's a few ideas to rip apart.
Hope that wasn't me :0
I think I'd like to see the IFA carry on its good work producing standards and guidance and focus on that, but also ensure that units follow these - I've yet to see evidence that RAO = good unit. I think pay and conditions are better handled by a union, but I also wouldn't like to see the IFA drop their minima pay scheme.
In terms of CPD - I'd like the IFA to carry on promoting this, but put more responsibility on the employer to actually provide training for their field staff (or do they already?). It's not just about moving up the chain - what about specialists visiting sites and giving training on sampling, pottery identification, flint, surveying, bricks, geoarchaeology, zooarchaeology, etc. etc. to help add skils to those who do want to carry on being "posthole" experts (and those who don't!). For unemployed archaeologists could the IFA provide cheap courses spread around the country?
It shouldn't just be about ?200 training courses set in a classroom - some of the best training is on the job and I think should be more formalised.
(Sadly i did work at a unit where all sites were shut down for a day every 3 months and we all had a chat from a specialist on these areas. Sadly I was the only member of staff who didn't complain about this, and thought it was a really worthwhile experience
).Finally, (this is going to be contraversial
) I think the membership fees need to be reduced to reflect the current situation. (As I see it), you don't get a lot for your cash. If my fees were about 50 - 60 quid a year or so, I'd probably join, not only to "get a job with an RAO" but also to help out with the IFA's work promoting standards. If good, formalised training was actually provided by an RAO, I'd see the ?100 or so membership fee as a bit more reasonable.