11th October 2008, 03:37 PM
Interesting to cross read between this thread and those in the Starting Out in Archaeology section. One of the problems that is often covered in the Starting Out threads is 'how do I get the six month commercial experience that is asked for in most job adverts?' and often given advice is to 'contact your local unit and get some experience by volunteering'... But by a unit taking on a volunteer (or trainee) to gain experience by working on a commercial excavation they could be accused of gaining commercial advantage?
At what stage does a volunteer become exploited and can we reconcile 'our' own advice in given other threads with 'our' complaints above.
Having worked for companies who have used volunteers and/or trainees on commercial sites I'd argue that if proper and structured on-site training is being given to volunteers or trainees then this actually results in a commercial disadvantage in terms of man-hours and resources.
As usual this thread seems to have migrated away from the original subject... time for a new thread?
At what stage does a volunteer become exploited and can we reconcile 'our' own advice in given other threads with 'our' complaints above.
Having worked for companies who have used volunteers and/or trainees on commercial sites I'd argue that if proper and structured on-site training is being given to volunteers or trainees then this actually results in a commercial disadvantage in terms of man-hours and resources.
As usual this thread seems to have migrated away from the original subject... time for a new thread?