Chartered Archaeologists are to be a reality

[BAJR]

Am tending towards the charteredship if it means being a grown up and so far the most vociferous opponent has made it clear that ranting is the only opposition available. xx(

[Boxoffrogs]

Well, as a growed up I welcome it. As an unemployed growed up I can't help wondering if this is going to any of us much good in the long term....

[Tool]

Am tending towards the charteredship if it means being a grown up and so far the most vociferous opponent has made it clear that ranting is the only opposition available. xx(

To be fair, much has been said in the recent past on the subject, and I for one feel I've said enough. And some might not want their professionalism impugned just for the way they write in a social forum, as appears to be the case elsewhere.

[GnomeKing]

" developing their skills through Continuing Professional Development, and are subject to the oversight of their peers "

really ?

and,

HOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

seriously - how?

[Boxoffrogs]

I fear it will lead to great things Moriarty
...

[Mike.T.]

" developing their skills through Continuing Professional Development, and are subject to the oversight of their peers "

really ?

and,

HOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

seriously - how?

Exactly. I can't think of anything positive that they've done for Field Archaeologists. More sweet FA than IFA.

[Steve H]

I'm sorry folks, but although perhaps not expressed in the best way, GnomeKing is right. The Institute of FA have never done anything for Pay, conditions, welfare or standards.
I'm afraid that Boxoffrogs sums up the popular opinion. People will happily join without realising that they are doing nothing for the cause of British archaeology. Others will look with glee upon their extra 4 letters after their names for a bargain price (miles cheaper than a degree!).
British commercial archaeology may well become a closed shop and not a closed shop established for everyones good, but one established for the sake of the egos of the mediocre.

[BAJR]

So all in all. I am neutral on the whole thing. my only tip to positive, is that it may... MAY... in the long term, help push our pay up... but let us not concentrate on just being well paid professionals, lets also be archaeologists who do more than just decontaminate the time wastes on development sites.

It is also up to those who are in it, to do something... I for one am an IfA Member ( albeit as an ex AAI&S member) and I suspect that closed shop is near impossible. though of course not impossible ... Think of it this way.. a builder is an architect without the title

Chartered archaeologists will have more stringent checks and more to lose. I also would say that the digger will not have to be chartered... but then if you were... you might just get the heated portacabin you deserve.

If there are isssues with companies... then don't just sit back and say... oh the things I could tell you about them... collect the information and pass it onto the relevant authority ( H&S executive... local council enforcement officer, IfA , BAJR, Diggers Forum) only if a complaint is made can a complaint be investigated.

[Wax]

But what does it actually mean there is a big difference between a chartered organisation and a licenced individual. For some charted organisations membership is needed to be a serious member of the profession but there are othered charted organisations where employers are not interested in membership because it in no way enhances the individual's ability to do their job. What will being a charted archaeologist mean in the eyes of the employers ? With the IFAs current reputation possibly not as much as some hope and others fear

[Sikelgaita]

I also would say that the digger will not have to be chartered... but then if you were... you might just get the heated portacabin you deserve.

The IfA has not seemed to place any undue weight on this issue before. Is Chartered status really going to make any difference now?