12th January 2009, 11:04 PM
Archaeology already has an intern scheme. It is run by the IfA and it provides training and experience for new graduates and working archaeologists who want to gain new skills; it to some extent addresses skills shortages within the industry; it is regulated and it pays a bursary which is equal to, if not greater than, the IfA's minimum salary rates.
One could argue that there are not enough IfA internships and that the range of potential training opportunites could be broadened, but....no-one can seriously suggest that introducing a non-regulated, poverty-waged slave market which would totally undermine the IfA scheme, in any way improves the industry as a whole or the job prospects of any single individual.
If funding is available to improve or consolidate the current IfA bursary scheme, archaeology as a profession should do everything to obtain that funding. But surely not at the expense of throwing the baby out with the bath water. It is difficult enough to make a living in UK archaeology. There are currently hundreds of unemployed archaeologists looking for work. I don't think that offering a wage of £60 a week for 37 or 40 hours does anything for unemployed archaeologists, especially archaeologists who don't have trust-funds to underwrite and maintain their 'lifestyle'.
I would hope that BAJR would at least take a stand on this and insist that the current wage minima are maintained.
One could argue that there are not enough IfA internships and that the range of potential training opportunites could be broadened, but....no-one can seriously suggest that introducing a non-regulated, poverty-waged slave market which would totally undermine the IfA scheme, in any way improves the industry as a whole or the job prospects of any single individual.
If funding is available to improve or consolidate the current IfA bursary scheme, archaeology as a profession should do everything to obtain that funding. But surely not at the expense of throwing the baby out with the bath water. It is difficult enough to make a living in UK archaeology. There are currently hundreds of unemployed archaeologists looking for work. I don't think that offering a wage of £60 a week for 37 or 40 hours does anything for unemployed archaeologists, especially archaeologists who don't have trust-funds to underwrite and maintain their 'lifestyle'.
I would hope that BAJR would at least take a stand on this and insist that the current wage minima are maintained.