Q: how many archaeologists does it take to ruin an industry?

[moreno]

I'm not sure that industry bodies should be encouraging more people into entry level positions when there are lots of experienced people out of work. It is only a few years ago that people were walking into digging jobs without any experience, it is just a bit unfortunate if you happen to graduate in the middle of a deep recession. All the best though.

and there's the rub

This is my sentiment as well. Various threads have commented upon training, CPD, developing necessary skills etc. I don't want to belabour the points raised. Aquiring the basic skill set to work as an entry level archaelogist should be managed, this doesn't mean people should be excluded. How this management is developed and implimented is open to debate. All things considered, and drawing upon my experience in the states, most individuals had a degree in anthropology/archaeology to work as "crew", if you wanted to progress above supervisor, unofficially, you needed a MA, to work as a principle investigator, a Phd was usually necessary. There were always exceptions to the unofficial rules mind you, based on one's experience. Call it whatever you want, label it however you might, but to speak with one voice, agreement is needed on putting into place a structure to manage a commercial career in archaeology. I'm not a fan of micro managing so I don't see the point of the NVQ, nor do I feel that the IFA should be the structuring and implimenting body. What I do value though is the attempt to address the issue.