30th July 2008, 03:18 PM
Just going back to invisible man's comment that references to education have been removed...
The template available on the IFA website for applying with the competence criteria includes a section on education and qualifications. This allows you to describe how your formal training relates to your application.
It will make it easier for those who have done further studies like masters, PhDs or haven't completed courses but have done substantial chunks of them to get that experience to count which was really difficult under the old system.
If you don't have an archaeology (or any) degree you would need to be more explicit in your description of professional and work experience to demonstrate how you've achieved the knowledge that would normally accrue through a degree. There are some excellent archaeologists who moved into archaeology, but not through doing a degree, who are utterly professional and compentent having built their knowledge up in the work place - I wouldn't want to see them excluded from the IFA or the profession.
The length of time has been removed, but I doubt you'll see many MIFAs at six months out of uni as you wouldn't be able to demonstrate the breadth of experience, understanding etc. that the competencies suggest. It'll also make it easier for those who work mainly at one level, but have to 'drop' to a different level on occasions because there isn't the work, those who work part time, have varying job roles etc.
I think overall for the majority of people they wont see that much difference in how they apply - the form and statement has a different focus but essentially you are still being asked to explain what you've done, at what level and support that with evidence of work and references. I think it will be easier for those with job roles that are archaeology-related, but not 'traditional' to apply (esaier in the sense of writing an application, not requiring less experience).
The people who'll see the biggest difference are the NVQ holders and the fast track element is as invisible man says not having to compile the statement and portfolio - it wont allow you to cram three years experience into six months. It's similar to getting accreditation with Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment once you've completed one of their accredited courses or the exam. Having seen the descriptions and assessment criteria of individual modules for the NVQ if you have completed it you'll have provided much more of a work portfolio than most people would for an application.
Hmm more like 10p's worth!!
The template available on the IFA website for applying with the competence criteria includes a section on education and qualifications. This allows you to describe how your formal training relates to your application.
It will make it easier for those who have done further studies like masters, PhDs or haven't completed courses but have done substantial chunks of them to get that experience to count which was really difficult under the old system.
If you don't have an archaeology (or any) degree you would need to be more explicit in your description of professional and work experience to demonstrate how you've achieved the knowledge that would normally accrue through a degree. There are some excellent archaeologists who moved into archaeology, but not through doing a degree, who are utterly professional and compentent having built their knowledge up in the work place - I wouldn't want to see them excluded from the IFA or the profession.
The length of time has been removed, but I doubt you'll see many MIFAs at six months out of uni as you wouldn't be able to demonstrate the breadth of experience, understanding etc. that the competencies suggest. It'll also make it easier for those who work mainly at one level, but have to 'drop' to a different level on occasions because there isn't the work, those who work part time, have varying job roles etc.
I think overall for the majority of people they wont see that much difference in how they apply - the form and statement has a different focus but essentially you are still being asked to explain what you've done, at what level and support that with evidence of work and references. I think it will be easier for those with job roles that are archaeology-related, but not 'traditional' to apply (esaier in the sense of writing an application, not requiring less experience).
The people who'll see the biggest difference are the NVQ holders and the fast track element is as invisible man says not having to compile the statement and portfolio - it wont allow you to cram three years experience into six months. It's similar to getting accreditation with Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment once you've completed one of their accredited courses or the exam. Having seen the descriptions and assessment criteria of individual modules for the NVQ if you have completed it you'll have provided much more of a work portfolio than most people would for an application.
Hmm more like 10p's worth!!