3rd September 2012, 07:32 AM
david.petts Wrote:I think pragmatically, partnerships between universities and commercial units might be one way forward (I was actually listening to a presentation today about a site being dug jointly by UCLAN and OA East), but I'm not sure there are enough commercial units with capacity for such collaborations to work with all existing Depts of Archaeology (although I suspect that over the next few years we may see some Departments going to the wall).
It does seem to me that both universities and commercial units are missing a trick here.....surely if there is a demand for undergraduates and fresh graduates to receive training prior to embarking on archaeological careers, it shouldn't be impossible to arrange a field school specifically for that purpose...perhaps running from June until September each year. Students would of course have to pay or take out a training loan, but some elements of the course might attract sponsorship and could even qualify under various Work Start type initiatives. I can see advantages both for students and employers in having high quality training of this sort and it could incorporate attaining CSCS cards, first aid training and even elements of a NVQ course or the IfA bursary for field skills training etc etc. Perhaps something like the recent Flag Fen initiative might form a basis for such a school ...
....just as an aside. Here in Norway there is no requirement for undergraduates to take a field work component. Fieldwork training is a part of Masters courses...however it is not easy to get a job in archaeology on the basis of an undergraduate degree alone. In that sense the field training recognises that the Masters component of university education is the most appropriate level for those intending to take archaeology as a career, rather than as part of a 'generalist' first degree....
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...