Just joined...question

[Liv]

Hello, I am an junior archeologist working off and on (as contracts arise) in British Columbia. I am interested in working in the UK and have just been having a look see on the internet at what is available. I've found this website to be very useful so far but am not clear on what your grading system is (on the 'jobs' page). Is there somewhere I can find clarification? Thank you.

[achingknees]

hi Liv

It's hiding :) see...

http://www.bajr.org/Employment/UKEmploymentFAQ.htm#2

[troll]

Greetings Liv! Would`nt worry too much about placing yourself within any grading system just yet. The resume and c.v (and endless phone calls/e-mails) should see you right. There`s plenty happening in commercial archaeology over here at the moment and, believe it or not, its not raining........come and play :D

[idontdodinos]

Hi Liv,
I too am Canadian and there are a few things you should know.

First, digging in the UK is completely different to digging in Canada, or rather, it has been in my experience. As such I found my experience back home did little to get me a job here and it wasn't until I did an MSc here have I been able to find work. Other Canadians I have talked to said they volunteered for a few weeks first just to gain some experience here. After that they had no problems finding work. If you have experience surveying, drawing finds, knowledge of lithics, know how to use GIS, you should really stress it in your CV.

If you have a drivers license and want to drive over here you might want to get an international license, you should be able to get one from the BCAA. Standards are the norm here and your BC license will only transfer to a UK license with an auotmatics only condition. My employer wanted me to drive but couldn't insure me with my Canadian license so I had to take lessons and get a full UK license.

Other than that the archaeology here is great! The weather is a bit pants at times, but you might be used to the rain coming from BC! Don't let what I said put you off! I am sure you will find something.

Oh and you will need a visa, check out the SWAP website - www.swap.ca about getting a working holidaymaker visa, you will be able to come for 2 years.

Good luck!
dinos

[monitor lizard]

Liv! Dino! my fellow country men! :D

I too got caught up in the automatic drivers licence thing. Still infuriates me today. I got by for a while by renewing Canadian licence through accomodating relatives, but then the DLA changed that loophole. International licence the only way to go.

I went for the british ancestry route for a Visa and if you can do it (you have to have one grandparent or parent born in the UK), you never need to get a working visa and can stay forever. Eventually you get upgraded to a resident.

Liv, what's the job situation like over there? I heard Alberta was really busy, but what about BC or Ontario? Other than the CAA, is there a good list of contractors/consultants?

Thanks and good luck (and if you get to London, the High Commission does a great Canada Day street party).

ML

[idontdodinos]

ML,
Here is a list I came across the other day, Canada is listed on the left-hand side. I think the CAA is probably still the best place to look though.
http://www.cbel.com/archaeology_contractors_and_consultants/?order=theme&setcols=2

Cheers,
Dinos

[troll]

A bit like a "due south" re-union here innit? Wonder if it`s so difficult to work in Canada as an interested UK citizen? How does it work for us over there in Bear country guys?:D

[the invisible man]

Totally off-topic, so aplogies to everone else but.... ML, I thought you were someone I know and now I'm pretty sure it is you! Assuming you are, hi there!

Today, Bradford. Tomorrow, well, Bradford probably.

[monitor lizard]

Cheers for the link, Dino. Will check it out. Have you been over long? What do you & Liv think about transferable skills to head back to the great white north? I'm thinking about jumping ship back over - any pointers? Is it worth it?

Troll, yes, it is a conspiracy. We are taking over. But better us than the americans :D

Hi Invisible man - hope you are well.

ML

[troll]

Oh how true. I can`t begin to tell you just how much I am in complete agreement with you. Think the planet has had quite enough of Ronald Macdonald and Team America. We love Canadians however, some of your Springstein type-stuff should be returned to sender! Seriously though, what are the requirements should a Limey choose to investigate the world of Canadian archaeology? What`s Moose taste like?:D p.s, anyone been to Brock Univerity?

[idontdodinos]

I am from the prairie (Alberta) and have only worked on sites in that area. I don't know much about the type of sites that are in BC or further east of Manitoba. Anyone wishing to get into Canadian Plains archaeology should have a love for a) lithics b) mosquitos/black flies/horse flies c) shovelling
d) being on the middle of absolutely nowhere e) historical archaeology (euro-canadian to present). Saying that there are some interesting areas to work in. There are buffalo jumps, medicine wheels etc.
There is really interesting achaeology in the Arctic with Viking sites, Paleo-Indian sites, and some really well-preserved Euro-Canadian sites. There is little soil formation up there so many sites exist on the surface and the cold, dry climate ensures good preservation of organic material.
There seems to be plenty of work due to a policy similar to PPG-16.
Most units prefer people with experience although it doesn't seem to matter where in the world this experience was gained and rescue archaeology is sometimes known as CRM (cultural resource management). A driving license would come in handy and some units require it.
I think it would be well worth the visit, the archaeology is completely different and work conditions seem to be better.

ML- Have been over here for a few years. Came to do an MSc and have stayed around. I think most skills gained while working in the UK will transfer over. Most digging skills that is. Surveying is a good skill to have and knowledge of geology/geography. Geoarchaeology is quite a big thing over there. No SMR or anything remotely like that in Canada that I know of. What province are you from?

Cheers,
dino

ps- Troll, moose is very chewy. Bison is quite nice though!

[monitor lizard]

Hi Dino

From Alberta too (Calgary). But never worked there - have been here either seasonally or full time since 1991. You?

Was hoping to jump straight in at PM level or consultant in a middle sized firm/unit. Figure even those sort of transferable skills may be worthy, but who knows?

Do you know much about licencing? How big an obstacle is that? Do you have to be sponsored?

Troll - have to agree, stick with the Bison. I dimmly recall a family dinner where beaver was the roast of choice. Wouldn't go there again!

ML

[monitor lizard]

Hi Dino

From Alberta too (Calgary). But never worked there - have been here either seasonally or full time since 1991. You?

Was hoping to jump straight in at PM level or consultant in a middle sized firm/unit. Figure even those sort of transferable skills may be worthy, but who knows?

Do you know much about licencing? How big an obstacle is that? Do you have to be sponsored?

Troll - have to agree, stick with the Bison. I dimmly recall a family dinner where beaver was the roast of choice. Wouldn't go there again!

ML

[the invisible man]

Now I wasn't a gentleman I'd make a very poor joke about the merits of eating beaver....... if I don't then no doubt Troll will..... but as I am a gentleman, I shall refrain.:D

Today, Bradford. Tomorrow, well, Bradford probably.

[the invisible man]

Now I wasn't a gentleman I'd make a very poor joke about the merits of eating beaver....... if I don't then no doubt Troll will..... but as I am a gentleman, I shall refrain.:D

Today, Bradford. Tomorrow, well, Bradford probably.

[Tim]

I applied for lots of jobs in North America in the 90's (even Guam)there seemed to be lots of jobs in archaeology/CRM. Got several offers in both Canada and US but none filled green card/immigration requirements. Did get offered a 6 month unpaid volunteer "training evaluation" offer in a desert "square" state but turner it down because I was 7K in debt and couldn't afford to do it.

Try Shovelbums.com
Archeology.about.com (old "mining company" web site)

All the US and Canuck organisations used to be easily findable on one site (will get back to you on this one). Always seemed to be work in Alberta (Great Lakes area in general) and BC. Whats the chances for a bilingual Francophile Brit in Quebec?

Little Tim

[troll]

Only the variety wiv a centre partin...[:0]

[mercenary]

Well, ML and Dino, I'm sure I could introduce you as I now know who you are!

If I tell you I'm also a former Albertan you'll probably figure it out too. (I'm gonna have to change my name now)

ML don't go back, the standard of living might be great but the archaeology sucks.

Any more Canucks out there? I know of at least six more in UK archaeology in addition to dino and ML, strangely mostly from Alberta. Not surprising really, it is very boring.

Troll, we are everywhere, be afraid...

[monitor lizard]

arrgh I've been outed!

I thought I had you clocked, Mercenary, but now I'm not sure....do Dino and I already know each other???

Back to the cloak of darkness....

ML

[mercenary]

No you probably don't know her. Other ends of the county. Does that help?

[mercenary]

ML if you are still stuck I can tell you I had the priveledge of being monitored (not a euphemism) by you very early in both our respective roles.

I'd cocked my side of it up!

[mercenary]

I've just realized I'm gonna have to apologize about some of my intemperate comments about curators now.

Sorry, I take it all back.

[monitor lizard]

Now this is getting embarrasing. Either it wasn't a horrible cock up, or there have been too many to count and it clearly doesn't rank high enough. I'm sorry! I shall blame it on the heat and put my thinking cap on later...

And yes, similarly, I now may have to retract some misguided comments about my employers! It wasn't me!

Next Friday is of course Canada Day - perhaps a union in the maple leaf is required? How many of us are in this neck of the woods?
ML

[mercenary]

Nah, it wasn't a bad cock-up. Was embarrasing for me at the time though. Now I'm comfortable with much more serious disasters, cuz I know the monitors see worse every day.

I'd love to make it down to the Maple Leaf for Canada Day, but I'm a bit too far away. I'll probably have the traditional BBQ here, and perhaps look up Dino. Maybe I'll dig up my Flames Stanley Cup run tapes. haha

[the invisible man]

Blimey, the Canadian faction is almost as big as the Bradford contingent.... maybe we should arrange a football match against each other (or a drinking match??)

(sings) I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok.......:D

Today, Bradford. Tomorrow, well, Bradford probably.

[BAJR Host]

You is Canadian...ay....

I just love Canadians! ... (I say no more!!)

its the mountie outfits!;)

Another day another WSI…

[mercenary]

Hmmm... I'm not as big a drinker as I used to be. The liver's just about had it. Football, however, just possibly. Bradford was the site of my greatest ever footballing triumph. Beat all comers in an anarchist organized tournament. We hadn't ever played together before, and didn't have a keeper! Also, Idontdodinos is a very tidy player.(If it's who I think it is!)

[eggbasket]

quote:Originally posted by mercenary

Maybe I'll dig up my Flames Stanley Cup run tapes. haha



Flames? Bah! Canucks roolz!

There's nothing like a Dane ...

[mercenary]

Not with a strike going they don't.

By the way how many Stanley Cups have the Canucks won? Is it none? I've been away for a while.

[eggbasket]

That's a cheap shot!!!!! :D

OK, so the Flames got lucky in the playoffs ...

Mind you, nobody roolz with the strike. Still, I'm playing enough hockey to keep me happy, so I am not that bothered if there's none on TV.

Cheers,
Eggbasket

There's nothing like a Dane ...

[mercenary]

Really?

Where are you playing? I brought all my equipment over, but the local team looks a bit hardcore for my limited skills not to mention dodgy knees.:)

[eggbasket]

Well, I don't claim to be any good but I train with the Kingston Cobras (who are pretty good) in Hull on most Fridays and Sundays. Training sessions are often cancelled if there is a game on the following day and it is always worth checking before turning up. There is also a rec hockey session on Sundays just before the Cobras session so I can get an extra hour's hockey in. I am just getting back into it after a few weeks off; I went shoulder first into the boards at full speed and dislocated my collar bone. Clumsy eggy.

Cheers,
Eggbasket

There's nothing like a Dane ...

[eggbasket]

Forgot to ask; who's your local team?

There's nothing like a Dane ...

[mercenary]

Hull is the closest to me. Are you one of those hardcore types?;)

Maybe I'll have to come along.

Cheers!

[eggbasket]

Well, if Hull is closest to you and you want to get a bit of hockey in, come along. The rec session on a Sunday is usually at 2015 for an hour and is very much mixed ability. You could meet up with the guys from the Cobras afterward and see if you want to train with them as they usually train after the rec session. It's always worth phoning the arena to check what time the rec session is as they occasionally move it without telling anyone.

The guys from the Cobras are pretty good but not quite up to Stingrays standards in most cases. Now, [u]they </u>are hardcore! Unlike me, who is probably best described as softcore, especially around the middle!!! :D

Oh yeah, the rec session is no checking, while the Cobras session is full contact. Sundays are generally scrimmages. Friday nights with the Cobras are usually an hour of drills followed by a scrimmage.

Cheers,
Eggbasket

There's nothing like a Dane ...