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+--- Thread: Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card? (/showthread.php?tid=1114)
Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card? - Bones - 18th February 2009
Thanks Plautus.
I'm finding getting into archaeology is very difficult at the mo, even if i offer to work as a volunteer! Ideally I want to work in post excavation as i've got an osteo qualification and an interest in the environmental side of excavations.
what other qualifications do employers look for? I'm determined to find a way to get a career in archaeology, working for free if necessary!
Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card? - trowelmonkey - 18th February 2009
Above all, a driver's lisence and the ability to take the unexpected in your stride
Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card? - RedEarth - 18th February 2009
Having sat the CSCS card test and passed quite easily several years ago I don't recall at the time even being told what colour card I was getting - it was more a case of being told to read this and go to this place to take the test and that will do. I have never needed it since and it seemed a complete waste of time - several of the questions were not relevant to what I was doing (use of power tools, scaffolding, fuel bunds) and as a result I can't remember any of it now, and yet I still have the qualification.
It all seemed like a bit of a scam really, lots of people in the construction industry who undoubtedly know what they are doing having to sit a test at several tens of pounds a go.
Look at the list of cards that was posted, why do archaeologists do the White 'construction related occupation' rather than the Yellow 'professionally qualified person'? Is it just (putting my cynical hat on, which lets face, it is never very far away) due to cost?
Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card? - monitor lizard - 18th February 2009
Mine is yellow (even the photo - and jaudice is so rarely a good look)....I seem to recall the thinking had something to do with visiting sites in a monitoring capacity, rather than working on them in a digging-type capacity.
ML
Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card? - trowelmonkey - 18th February 2009
I'll still stand for what I said when I first kicked off this thread.
The reason archaeologists are being asked to produce a CSCS card more often is because the construction industry as a whole are taking them more seriously as a way to ensure that the right type of people are on site which after all are dangerous places if you're not qualified to do the job you're supposed to be doing. Whether they work or not is another issue. I like the principle for reasons I've stated above.
An archaeologist will most likely be asked to produce a whitcard, basically to show H&S awareness for the principle contractor's peace of mind.
To my mind that kind of makes us second-class professionals. It is because the construction industry takes them seriously I would like to see archaeologists part of the scheme.
I want my profession to be taken seriously by other professionals.
It seems that we could hit two birds with one stone. One, a sort of general purpose H&S awareness acreditation as the white card already acts as (and I do see the point in being construction/ engineering site aware) and secondly to have some kind of idependently acredited skills passport of the sort we've been talking about for nearly 20 years without moving forward very far as yet.
Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card? - kevin wooldridge - 18th February 2009
Agree with Trowel Monkey......I have the EUR Utilities card awarded to workers who have done the H&S training course on pipeline projects. I was told that this card covered all of the ground of the CSCS card and more, so am surprised to see some archaeological employers asking for both......
I also understand that it is possible to take the CSCS exam online after paying a fee of circa ?25. Has anyone done this?
Also to Bones. Offering to work for nothing may endear you to some employers but does little for your reputation amongst the remainder of the archaeological profession. Especially in these difficult times.....Maybe you need to rethink that part of your 'determined to be an archaeologist' strategy
![[Image: 3216700919_bab3ee7520_t.jpg]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3216700919_bab3ee7520_t.jpg)
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...
Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card? - Plautus - 18th February 2009
quote:
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Originally posted by Plautus
Bones - all you need is a white card - you are not the supervisor on site so don't need a supervisors card - we are bsically outside contractors so just need to show we know our way around a site without killing ourselve or anyone else.
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Take me through this?
Well basically. We are not responsible for safety on site that is not directly to do with us. That is the site foreman. Archaelogical supervisors or POs answer to Site Supervisor on matters of safety as we are outsode contractors. It may work differently on research digs. On the CSCS test eveytime it asks who you should tell/consult with regarding H&S the answer is the site supervisor.
Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card? - RedEarth - 19th February 2009
Quote:quote:Originally posted by kevin wooldridge
Also to Bones. Offering to work for nothing may endear you to some employers but does little for your reputation amongst the remainder of the archaeological profession. Especially in these difficult times.....Maybe you need to rethink that part of your 'determined to be an archaeologist' strategy
Although, to be fair, there's a big difference between volunteering on developer-funded projects and on say research projects. If you were taken on as a volunteer on the former it would be more damaging to the 'employer's' reputation than yours, Bones.
Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card? - Bones - 19th February 2009
Kevin wooldridge- the reason i offer to work for free or volunteer is because i am a recent graduate with very little experience on digs under my belt. Trying to get a job with a contractor is a bit of a problem when they ask for 6 months experience but are not willing to take you on to give you those 6 months. So working as a volunteer seemed like a good idea. Am i approaching this wrong?
Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card? - kevin wooldridge - 19th February 2009
Bones, I have no problem with volunteering in archaeology providing that it is volunteering following the guidelines established by the IfA as far back as 1986. I would assume that such volunteering is undertaken with the understanding that it is above and beyond any work which would be expected to be or normally carried out by a paid archaeologist
http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/icontent/inPages/docs/codes/policy_statements.pdf
I do however have problems with anyone offering to work for free. One it is unprofessional, two it undermines the status of archaeologists in employment and three, under government minimum wage legislation it is almost definitely illegal. Thats all.
My suggestion that you amend your 'determined to be an archaeologist' strategy was based on an understanding of these principles.
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...