Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card?

[monty]

Bones...stick with it, there will be volunteer opportunities................in reply to Red Earth comment.......how can using a volunteer on a PPG16 project be damaging to the employer's reputation, lots of volunteers are used on commercial projects..............

[Bones]

Kevin- Thanks for pointing out that link to the IFA.

When i said i would work for free it was in the sense of a volunteer, sorry maybe i should have been more clear. I would never damage the reputation and professionalism of archaeologists by being 'employed' for free as its a career i wish to pursue myself.

[kevin wooldridge]

quote:Originally posted by monty

Bones...stick with it, there will be volunteer opportunities................in reply to Red Earth comment.......how can using a volunteer on a PPG16 project be damaging to the employer's reputation, lots of volunteers are used on commercial projects..............

An interesting assertion Monty!! Do you know whether these volunteers are being used within the terms of the IfA code of conduct on the use of volunteers in commercial archaeology or are you suggesting they are being deployed in replacement for paid archaeological posts?

If it is the latter then Red Earth is right that it damages the reputation of the employer in so much that it flies against established practice in UK archaeology, as most curators insist that IfA standards are applied, irrespective as to whether the employer is a RAO or the individual a member of the IfA.



With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...

[monty]

Not an assertion but an observation !!.....Both of these situations regularly occur.........apparently with the latter causing no damage to the employer's reputation.....Volunteering is the only way for newcomers to gain necessary fieldwork experience and the IFA standards should be applied by all.....but in the reality of commercial digging there is and probably always will be unscrupulous operators who will use volunteers instead of paid archaeologists.

[trowelmonkey]

First CSCS Heritage Skills Cards Awarded

http://www.cscs.uk.com/RunScript.asp?pag...~Pg139.asp

Are we moving in the right direction? Would archaeologists specialising in building survey be interested in something similar? Tangentally, do we have enough understanding of traditional building techniques/ ancient technology to "use our archaeological imagination?"

[RedEarth]

quote:Originally posted by monty

Bones...stick with it, there will be volunteer opportunities................in reply to Red Earth comment.......how can using a volunteer on a PPG16 project be damaging to the employer's reputation, lots of volunteers are used on commercial projects..............

I think there have been several other responses that have provided a good response to this, especially in terms of the IfA guidance.

Using volunteers to do work that has been paid for by a developer is outrageously immoral. If you work for someone who does it, all I can suggest is leave immediately, tell the IfA, tell someone, because if they can find someone to do it for free they have even more reason to keep wages low or even lay people off.

[RedEarth]

quote:Originally posted by trowelmonkey

First CSCS Heritage Skills Cards Awarded

http://www.cscs.uk.com/RunScript.asp?pag...~Pg139.asp

Are we moving in the right direct? Would archaeologists specialising in building survey be interested in something similar? Tangentally, do we have enough understanding of traditional building techniques/ ancient technology to "use our archaeological imagination?"

I was looking forward to seeing that but for some reason the link won't work...

[trowelmonkey]

Sorry, the address is long so the link broke halfway. If this doesn't work copy and paste the whole address:

http://www.cscs.uk.com/RunScript.asp?pag...~Pg139.asp

Or try

http://www.nhtg.org.uk/employers/qualify...itage.aspx

[Blacktusk]

A company that i had the misfortune to work for regulary used volunteers in place of paid members of staff. I felt terrible for the clients as they were paying good money for `professional experienced archaeologists` and usually got demoralised totally inexperienced supervisors and students. Back on topic i know.

[monty]

No one could seriously take redearth's advice to leave immediately....particularly at the moment....as Blacktusk posts it happens......maybe a more constructive debate would be how can this be avoided....its ok informing IfA but what can they do if it's not an RAO ?....................