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

[moreno]

I don’t think anyone would argue that Universities are set up to train commercial archaeologists. As Jack has pointed out their priorities are generally focused on teaching undergrads and post grads in archaeology to think critically, write coherently, and research (as a requirement to the archaeology degree, undergrads attend a few weeks of field work). The majority of these taught skills can be applied towards a career as a lecturer or can be applied to the role of a project officer, project manager or consultant. Ok, so perhaps many diggers have degrees but don’t need them because generally degrees are not seen as preparation for commercial field work. Reading between the lines (the various threads and posts) the onus falls upon who is responsible for developing the necessary skills of a work force?

Who should bear this responsibility? The IFA, CBA, universities or commercial units etc? Acquiring the basic skill set to work as an entry level archaeologist should be part of a managed career development programme (awareness of regional resource assessments, understanding MORPHE, introducing WSI’s and DBA’s). How this is developed and managed should be discussed and/or debated. The focus should really be towards solving these issues rather than belabouring them. Call it whatever you want, label it however you might, but agreement is needed on putting into place a structure to manage a commercial career in archaeology.