5th November 2010, 04:22 PM
As has perhaps emerged from this thread it should be acknowledged as a joint responsibility. Universities should have the capacity to ensure a significant vocational element forms part of the degree whilst commercial archaeology should embrace the need to provide field skills training to build on the basic grounding ideally provided at an undergrad level. If my own experience is anything to go by the commercial part of this bargain is largely overlooked due to lack of funding. There is no lack of incentive, the blockage is one of resources. The vast majority of project budgets barely cover the esssentials for completion of the job let alone provide scope for in-job training. Whilst we persist collectively in slashed to the bone competitive tenders with the odd exception there is never likely to be scope for the spare funds necessary to cover such essential training. It brings us back to the same old chestnut- how do we break out of this insane downward spiral. IfA, Unionisation, both? We otherwise appear to be doomed to an endless description of various facets of the same old problem- our profession is underesourced.