Thinking for the Future...

[GnomeKing]

If we don't know how to do something around here, either someone else does or the management sends someone on a course - isn't that the way everyone else does it?

and yet you seem to suggest eslewhere that universities should be training all the new staff.......?

[GnomeKing]

There appears to be a need to address and assess the skills of not just dig staff, but supervisors, project officers, project managers etc. .

Indeed indeed - but try getting a proper 360 reiview process in place, (.....especilaly in large 'units-that-are-also-educational-charities') >> unions advocate this kind of process (or did), yet companies use continual assesment procedues soley for teh purpose of shitting on those further down the chain - excrement never rises up the hierarchy ladder (or does it?)

[moreno]

Indeed indeed - but try getting a proper 360 reiview process in place, (.....especilaly in large 'units-that-are-also-educational-charities') >> unions advocate this kind of process (or did), yet companies use continual assesment procedues soley for teh purpose of shitting on those further down the chain - excrement never rises up the hierarchy ladder (or does it?)

Definately not an easy process. If I remember correctly this issue (and several others) was alluded to at the last Dig Forum meeting I attended (London). The point you make is not unfamiliar. I'm sure many of us may have had the opportunity to work with a PO who took it upon themselves to take the time and effort to share their know how with others. Some I've known, looked after and rewarded staff for making an effort beyond what was expected. It's a small drop in a big pond, but the important thing is there are people who are willing to put themselves forward. I met a few at the Dig Forum meeting, they were IFA members, I was not. This may sound simple and patronising but I do believe that making an effort to work towards improving our profession is one worth working for. I'm sure more than a few have experience with your analogy.

[deadlylampshade]

If we don't know how to do something around here, either someone else does or the management sends someone on a course - isn't that the way everyone else does it?

Isn't this what consultants are for??}

[deadlylampshade]

......This may sound simple and patronising but I do believe that making an effort to work towards improving our profession is one worth working for. I'm sure more than a few have experience with your analogy.

It depends if you believe archaeology is just a job or a vocation! I tend to find vocational archaeologists are the ones, at ANY level, who have such enthusiasm that they are prepared to explain a little more, discuss and share information as and when a question is raised or something has not been understood.

It isn't hard, and it is only patronising if the person speaking to you knows less than you but is not convinced that you know what you are doing! (Alas I meet more of these types again at ALL levels than the first type!)

[moreno]

Deadly, I'll have to leave that up to those in a better position to comment upon. *laughs*

[Dinosaur]

and yet you seem to suggest eslewhere that universities should be training all the new staff.......?

ah, but isn't the whole point that no one is running courses on how to dig a hole any more....luckily not a problem for the office staff who have around 300 years of rather wasted site experience between them already, shame the diggers haven't.....unfortunately none of them can do the office stuff either, or we could do a swap, nice idea though }

[kevin wooldridge]

So Dinosaur would one of your suggestions for the future be that staff from the 'office' should pass on their skills to the field team and vice versa? Seems to me a relatively simple problem to address given good will from all parties involved...

[Madweasels]

There is, though, the false assumption that good field staff make good office staff. I know of many who have had excellent and well-respected careers in the field only to turn into utter failures and client lick-spittles in the office. I only know of one who knew his limitations and requested to take a demotion so that he could go back into the field.

[kevin wooldridge]

There is, though, the false assumption that good field staff make good office staff. I know of many who have had excellent and well-respected careers in the field only to turn into utter failures and client lick-spittles in the office. I only know of one who knew his limitations and requested to take a demotion so that he could go back into the field.

But no-one can be criticised for taking the path most travelled if that is the only way to gain substantial promotion. What are the chances of the post-recession brave new world of archaeology rewarding experienced archaeological staff who stay in the field equally as well as staff who take 'promotion' to work in the office....once again it doesn't seem that difficult a task to achieve given goodwill on both sides. (And I know there a few organisations already that pay experienced field staff as well as, if not better than some office staff).