29th June 2010, 07:53 PM
It is the big problem that I have to wrestle with.. As Dino rightly says... in general the BAJR rate is the rate that is paid... and long ago I stepped away from job title and looked at what you do... all clearly laid out in the BAJR guide to pay and conditions (created yearly and comment is asked from every contractor) I introduced overlapping grades and more subtle progression based on consultation and advice.. It is true to say that BAJR grades are now accepted as the minima (though I do hear of attempts to subvert it... but when I find out I phone up... only when I find out mind)
We should be clear that teh pay scales mentioned above are aspirational... and I agree with them... the trick comes in making it happen... and I would like to see a telescoping of pay... so that you actually have some point to progress. Which is why I am working with Manchester to produce the Skills Passport as a test run in creating a verifiable measure of competence and thus pay. (none of htis is totaly original thought.. It is a bringing together of ideas and other successful schemes that sees a way forward. But it needs every one to back it... The IfA are indeed the ones to push it... but lets not remember a close run thing in November! And BAJR... well... BAJR is a wild card... trusted (I hope) and reasonably even-handed (I try) - but I can't push too hard and as Dino also notes... I could raise the minima by 25% across the board.. result...
1) nobody advertisses with me any more..
2) anyone who does raise by 25% goes quickly out of business
3) we are worse off than before... with no BAJR to keep an eye on rates... and over the years (as those that know) I do keep an eye open and will talk. Why else do you think that BAJR grades are seen as standard.??
So the companies have to survive... the pay has to increase... the benefits have to be in place... the training has to be rewarded (both for the company and the employee) the archaeology has to be done to the highest standard (not the minimum) the benefit has to be appreciated... etc
For over 10 years I have been moving to this point.... but lets not lose sight of the reality... and lets not forget that BAJR can move forward only slowly (already my rates are above IfA ) but they are ahead... and I wish I could do more... but the IfA must take the lead... one person can't be expected to do this... this takes all of us!
We should be clear that teh pay scales mentioned above are aspirational... and I agree with them... the trick comes in making it happen... and I would like to see a telescoping of pay... so that you actually have some point to progress. Which is why I am working with Manchester to produce the Skills Passport as a test run in creating a verifiable measure of competence and thus pay. (none of htis is totaly original thought.. It is a bringing together of ideas and other successful schemes that sees a way forward. But it needs every one to back it... The IfA are indeed the ones to push it... but lets not remember a close run thing in November! And BAJR... well... BAJR is a wild card... trusted (I hope) and reasonably even-handed (I try) - but I can't push too hard and as Dino also notes... I could raise the minima by 25% across the board.. result...
1) nobody advertisses with me any more..
2) anyone who does raise by 25% goes quickly out of business
3) we are worse off than before... with no BAJR to keep an eye on rates... and over the years (as those that know) I do keep an eye open and will talk. Why else do you think that BAJR grades are seen as standard.??
So the companies have to survive... the pay has to increase... the benefits have to be in place... the training has to be rewarded (both for the company and the employee) the archaeology has to be done to the highest standard (not the minimum) the benefit has to be appreciated... etc
For over 10 years I have been moving to this point.... but lets not lose sight of the reality... and lets not forget that BAJR can move forward only slowly (already my rates are above IfA ) but they are ahead... and I wish I could do more... but the IfA must take the lead... one person can't be expected to do this... this takes all of us!