NVQ in archaeology

[BAJR Host]

Given the reasonable sucess of BAJR Democracy - the new NVQ in archaeology - Do you feel it is

"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[BAJR Host]

apathy or disinterest?

"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[Gilraen]

Does the NVQ only apply to field archeology? Or are other areas of archaeological science included?

[the invisible man]

The titles of the modules (links on the IFA website) indicate that the NVQs are definitely intended for fieldwork, but including the management/office side of fieldwork (especially at Level 4).

For many (or most?) other fields or specialisms, other qualifications are probably more appropriate - e.g. MA/MSc.

[gonetopot]

Well meaning as the idea appears, teachers didn't christen the NVQ 'not very qualified' or the GNVQ 'generally NVQ' fro no reason. I'm afraid having looked at the IFA info on these qualifications they are no substitute for a degree that includes practical experience, or for diggers who have no degree but have been working in the field as they have a CV that demonstrates their experience (more important to an employer, than a qualification).

Flat bad. Very badly thought out with an inadequate result

ed.4.sp

[Gilraen]

I think that it may have been designed to provide archaeology graduates with an apprpriate level of fieldwork training (and/or proving to a company that they have the commitment and experience to work for them) without having to go to the time and expense of doing a Masters degree. Is this the case?

[oldgirl]

quote:Originally posted by Gilraen

I think that it may have been designed to provide archaeology graduates with an apprpriate level of fieldwork training (and/or proving to a company that they have the commitment and experience to work for them) without having to go to the time and expense of doing a Masters degree. Is this the case?

It is an attempt (as far as I understand it) to allow what many people have previously considered 'on the job training' to be qualitatively assessed, in my opinion. And the levels (esp the higher ones) are more than many Masters will give you, let alone a degree with a bit of digging experience (sorry to have to disagree with you gonetopot).

It fits in well with CPD, where a lot of training/learning/experience that people put down can be challenged with a 'prove it'. This will go a long way toward proving it, or proving not when people claim skills they don't have.

[Oxbeast]

I agree with you there oldgirl. My BA only required 3 weeks digging experience (although I did more), and I can't remember ever filling in a sheet. I came onto my first commercial site not knowing much about much. It is not the aim of most undergrad degrees (with a very few exceptions like Bournemouth) to train students to be excavators. Plus, on lots of projects, you can spend the whole time doing geophysics or fieldwalking; worthy experience, but it isn't the whole picture.

Gilraen, I don't think that an NVQ is aiming to compete with a Master's degree, they are completely different. It is to validate the stuff that you have already done/are doing.

[the invisible man]

Just to clarify that in my previous post in no way did I intend to suggest that an NVQ is or can attempt to compete with or replace a Masters degree (or a first degree come to that). My point, in response to Gilraen's query, was that the NVQ is specific to excavation and its directly associated and component activities. It is entirely inappropriate for specialists or practioners in other fields, e.g. in ceramics, osteo, geophysics or whatever, who are quite likely to have entered their field through a specialized Masters.

I would also add that I do not agree with the view put forward in another thread that in other professions those with a degree enter at management level. In some fields of 'business' or 'commerce' perhaps, but in the professions a degree (or higher) is the starting point, at the bottom, where you take your knowledge and begin to learn to apply it.

[oldgirl]

quote:Originally posted by the invisible man

Just to clarify that in my previous post in no way did I intend to suggest that an NVQ is or can attempt to compete with or replace a Masters degree (or a first degree come to that). My point, in response to Gilraen's query, was that the NVQ is specific to excavation and its directly associated and component activities. It is entirely inappropriate for specialists or practioners in other fields, e.g. in ceramics, osteo, geophysics or whatever, who are quite likely to have entered their field through a specialized Masters.

I would also add that I do not agree with the view put forward in another thread that in other professions those with a degree enter at management level. In some fields of 'business' or 'commerce' perhaps, but in the professions a degree (or higher) is the starting point, at the bottom, where you take your knowledge and begin to learn to apply it.

I agree with the latter point. On the first point, the NVQ has (I believe) not yet been launched for the higher levels of experience/training. If you look at the report on the National occupational standards ( here : http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/ic...report.pdf ) and scroll down to the appendices, however, you will see many skills there which are very applicable to all specialisms. The following aren't excavation specific:

e.g. AC2 Conduct non-intrusive investigations
AC.1 Prepare for operations
AC2.2 Observe and record measurements
AC2.3 Analyse and present investigation data
AC3 Contribute to non-intrusive investigations
AC3.1 Prepare for operations
AC3.2 Observe and record measurements
AC3.3 Prepare records and schedules

AD1 Undertake analysis and interpretation
AD1.1 Confirm requirements for analysis and interpretation
AD1.2 Carry out agreed programme of analysis and interpretation
AD1.3 Prepare and submit reports

AE3 Identify and describe items (archaeology) (based on CH Unit A4)
AE3.1 Provide a description of an item
AE3.2 Identify and classify an item
AE3.3 Describe the potential significance of an item as an archaeological resource
AE4 Develop conservation plans for items (archaeology) (CH Unit E5)
AE4.1 Explore conservation options for items
AE4.2 Specify conservation options for items

And that's just on the first page......

there are also a lot to do with curatorial roles and educational roles.

So, yes these follow on from the basis of your degree/Masters/PhD/equivalent experience. It's a way to develop yourself in your profession. I agree completely with your point about 'management' in the professions. (and certainly I'd always seen a 1st degree as learning how to learn, but I'm old....)

Interestingly, the document linked above says in its introduction:

'The reasons for a lack of widely shared definitions of work roles and responsibilities may lie in the origins of archaeology as a discipline rather than a profession. 'Archaeology' defines a search for knowledge, meaning and understanding rather than the provision of a service or a commodity. This is quite unlike most traditional professions, most of which have been required to define the services they offer in order that they can be regulated for reasons of public protection , safety or financial entitlement.'

Which is another take on it.... :face-thinks: