Fighting time?

[Els]

What time of year is the best to get hired with a unit as a trainee? I appreciate that this is a bad time of year to start out; my guess is that summer is heavy demand season for diggers. For the general information of all newbies, when is the best time to get on?

[BAJR Host]

When there is lots of work... usualy NOW!!! the end of the finicial year gets people spending money quickly.. and the beginning of the new tax year sees New budget projects starting off.. The issue of training however is going to be looked at this year... what you get, how it is recorded...how formal, etc.

I hope to produce a CPD passport in April, to distribute to every contractor (around 3-4000 copies) with space for filling in your own CPD logs and have them signed off.. that way employers can see what you can do, and verify it, and employees can show what they can do, and verify it.

So the gap between leaving Uni and starting work, could mean having a rest... before the Jan/feb rush...



"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[vulpes]

David, don't you think your time would be better spent on things which don't duplicate initiatives already instigated by the IFA? http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/icontent/index.php?page=20

Not really a 'pot person'.

[kevin wooldridge]

quote:Originally posted by Els

What time of year is the best to get hired with a unit as a trainee?

I see that at least 3 of the current advertisers on BAJR jobs are willing to take on trainees. So David is right, now is as good a time as any.

On Vulpes' point regarding the CPD passport, I guess BAJR are probably thinking of the UK archaeological world as a whole, whilst the IFA may be thinking only of IFA members. (Of course there maybe some overlap there....).

I wonder what 'management' level would be required to sign off a CPD passport and actually mean anything substantial? And whom would the self-employed go to for CPD verification. (Apologies for 'pottering around' type rhetorical questions. Finding it hard to sit down to sensible work today....)

[vulpes]

On the contrary Kevin, while the IFA may only 'represent' their members they are thinking about the profession as a whole, and the CPD scheme is voluntary (although I think RAOs are expected to roll it out to all staff, IFA members or not). Nonetheless, the CPD scheme and other initiatives such as occupational standards (http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/icontent/index.php?page=41), represent a useful benchmark which we can all make use of IFA or not. Why reinvent the wheel?

[kevin wooldridge]

I guess the telling point would be if the CPD cards had a box to be filled denoting the negative. To be used in the event where no training was received or CPD failed to continue, 'professionally' or develop.

Bring back the 'I-Spy Archaeology' book, I say....Same principal and could be safely signed off by any 'sensible grown-up'.

[vulpes]

Interesting idea Kev, why didn't I think of that? Yeah, lets record our lack of training!!;)

[Els]

Thanks for the input. I'm in Lincs and having trouble getting onto a unit (along with my husband, who's also an archaeologist with a M.A.). Will just keep ploughing through and sending out that blizzard of CVs.

[BAJR Host]

Vulpes... although you are right to an extent... the concept of CPD training schemes are not exclusive to the IFA... However Before I posted this I already emailed the IFA asking them to partner it.. the concept is different and proactive rather than passive and waiting for people to join... I would produce (at my expense) 3-4000 of these booklets (at the moment you can download an A4 sheet from the IFA) with card covers and spaces to show qualifications, affiliations, useful details and a log of CPD with a photo. (I stress that I am asking to work with the IFA) You can't just sit there and hope people will magically start doing it... Hands up anyone who has a CPD log?? Or even seen one... usually they are initiatives carried out by contractors..

We are often very very passive in our actions... hoping somehow that everything will work out without actually pushing forward.. take pay? Grading? Career development? etc etc... You could see it as BAJR supporting an IFA initiative.

Personally I don't care if the IFA do it or I just go for it .. I just would see this as a step forward. ;)) If the IFA would print and hand out 4000 of these numbered CPD logs then great... having a download on a webiste just does not get out to everyone...

I will of course let you know what the IFA say when they reply. the wheel may have been invented.. but then I prefer mine going round.

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[BoneGirl]

Els have you tried sending C.V's/phoning the Linc's units. It was my impression most have work on at the moment, and have been known to take on trainee's in the past. It's worth the go. Good luck

[kevin wooldridge]

I agree with Bone Girl regarding the cold call tactic (and can personally vouch that a unit based in Heckington are a very nice bunch of people to work for!)

PS In fact said units web site has an ad saying that they are always happy to here from job applicants at any level of experience

[Els]

Many thanks for all the input. After weeks of drought, two offers rained down upon us in the space of 10 minutes!! Just takes patience and persistence, I reckon. :D

[Orkynowot]

Hi Els,

I actually started my first job this time last year, I think the hard part is actually getting your foot in door...you know everyone wants X amount of contract experience and its finding a firm that will take you on, I started on a pipeline job so that wasnt to bad, but I wasnt taken on as a trainee I was actually an Excavation Technician!!!!

May god go with you in all the dark places you must walk.

[Els]

3!!!! Again, thanks everyone. :face-stir: