27th November 2008, 11:54 AM
Kevin, as we are only talking hypotheticals, maybe the IFA will do something worth the subs and get a real grip on this?! I am also a member of the IFA, and they have a big role -one that they carved out for themselves remember. It wasn't pushed on them. They, the CBA, SCAUM etc need to think hard about all these issues from all viewpoints and communicate with the profession.
What I was trying to highlight is that archaeology is cyclical, except this cycle is hitting bottom everywhere at the same time which creates a real problem as a workforce that is unfortunately all too used to moving after jobs, can't even do this now.
Over the last twenty years I have seen many many people get into archaeology, and leave months or years or decades later. Some were a great loss to archaeology, some should have gone years earlier as they were frankly useless. The dynamics of employment in the profession are based on the annual influx of keen young ex-students all desperate for work because their universities almost universally failed to give them the skills they would need in real life. The crux is this:
Do we want to carry on with this dynamic, or move to a different system that may enable a more stable workforce
Would I be prepared to see chartering of the IFA or similar? Possibly, on the right terms. I'd like to see a proper structured approach to training, recognition and qualifications -which I feel is possibly coming. We just need to make sure the advances aren't lost in the fight for survival
What I was trying to highlight is that archaeology is cyclical, except this cycle is hitting bottom everywhere at the same time which creates a real problem as a workforce that is unfortunately all too used to moving after jobs, can't even do this now.
Over the last twenty years I have seen many many people get into archaeology, and leave months or years or decades later. Some were a great loss to archaeology, some should have gone years earlier as they were frankly useless. The dynamics of employment in the profession are based on the annual influx of keen young ex-students all desperate for work because their universities almost universally failed to give them the skills they would need in real life. The crux is this:
Do we want to carry on with this dynamic, or move to a different system that may enable a more stable workforce
Would I be prepared to see chartering of the IFA or similar? Possibly, on the right terms. I'd like to see a proper structured approach to training, recognition and qualifications -which I feel is possibly coming. We just need to make sure the advances aren't lost in the fight for survival