The Race for the First NVQ in Archaeological Pract

[BAJR Host]

Thanks Kathryn...

The info on the NVQ scheme can be found here
http://www.bajr.org/BAJRForum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1754

and here
http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/ic...report.pdf

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

[chiz]

Thanks for the reply. I have contacted Kate Geary again. I'll read the report from 2002, is that from the previous NVQ idea?

Afraid the linked BAJR thread isn't exactly informative, just reiterates some of the info on the IFA website. I'm interested in what the plans are for the rolling out and expansion of the scheme, how it will tie in to under/post grad/CPD etc etc, there just doesn't seem to be a lot of info out there on specifics like how it is assessed, by whom, where... Hopefully the 2002 report will explain it all, are there any more recent documents?

I hope the higher level NVQs come on line soon as well.

Sorry to appear cynical, but it is always easy from the inside to assume that everyone on the outside knows what is going on, when if there is no concerted attempt to spread the information and get units/unis on side that just isn't the case. I'm all for the NVQs, and have argued for vocational training for years, as well as actually getting off my butt and designing training materials and getting them out to the staff, I just don't want it to fizzle out through lack of exposure.

[mercenary]

I was formerly very keen to do the assessor training, but have become more than cynical after seeing how slack the IFA has been with those expressing interest. I waited for many months after contacting Kate Geary and received no response at all. This changed when a BAJR discussion on this very topic shamed them into contacting us. Sadly I couldn't make the induction meeting as I was out of the country. Anything else and I would have moved heaven and earth to get there. I said that I was still keen, but no further contact.

Perhaps the economic climate has blunted their desire to see this taken up by more than a token handful?

[matthew.law]

I'm quite interested to know what sort of people are taking the Level 3 NVQ - are they recent graduates looking to get into commercial archaeology, or are they more experienced than that?

I would consider myself moderately inexperienced - I've been in the job a litle over three years, mostly as a digger, in the capital and in the sticks, but with a little bit of specialist lab work, watching brief, and report writing experience too. When I first heard about the NVQ I thought it was a great idea - but not something *I* need to think about too much. The way things are right now has made me realise we need to sharpen our game professionally - and other people on other posts and elsewhere in the internet (http://10simplesteps.blogspot.com/2008/0...s-are.html) have made it clear that the way to do that is to show you're serious about doing the job properly by getting accreditation and getting training - so should I be looking at taking the NVQ? What do you think?

Matt

[chiz]

Matthew,
again without knowing details of the course, I wouldn't know, but the chart in the back of the Profiling the Profession (Appendix 5) puts Level 3 as about A-Level level. Have a look at the Units on the IFA website, and compare with the Level 4 units, which seem a lot more advanced, and are apparently about degree level.

Do you have an archaeology degree? I'd go for Level 4, its a little bit more, but not a load more cash, I think £995. After all, you want to learn something, as well as get a qualification. I don't really see the point in the Level 3 at all to be honest. If you don't have a degree I'd say now is a good time to go and do one!!
The IFA says...

What level should I do?

The level 3 Qualification is aimed at archaeologists who are new to, or have recently joined, the profession, with or without academic qualifications, who wish to gain and accredit entry level/basic skills. It is also appropriate for amateur archaeologists who wish to expand and formally accredit their skills through the attainment of a qualification. Level 3 candidates must be able to show that they can carry out a range of work activities, most of which are complex and non-routine tasks.

The level 4 Qualification is aimed at established practitioners wishing to gain the skills, experience and knowledge they need to progress to a higher grade, to undertake greater responsibilities or to work in a new area of competence. It is also appropriate for experienced amateur archaeologists who wish to expand their skills and formally accredit that experience through the attainment of a qualification. Level 4 candidates must show that they can apply skills and knowledge to a broad range of complex, technical or professional work activities performed in a wide variety of contexts.

[chiz]

mercenary, sorry to hear you have had the same problems. Hopefully they will get on top of the situation, I was keen on becoming an assessor, and on doing any Level 5 ticket, but am going off the idea if no-one is actually doing the course!

[matthew.law]

Bob - I do have a degree, so perhaps I should look at the Level 4
Now certainly would be a good time to get a degree (if you can afford it), but a horrible time to graduate. I came out of an enviro MSc dtermined to learn how to dig back in the day of road projects with accommodation all over Ireland, evaluations for airport extensions in the south east, and massive brownfield development in London and other cities, when almost any graduate would get employment in the field somewhere. I'm about to start a new digging job, where I'm the least experienced digger by quite a margin, which doesn't give me much hope for the New Year, when I'll be back on the job market.

Matt

[Oxbeast]

Is it really a good idea to spend a thousand quid of your own money when (potentially) every unit is laying people off?

[chiz]

quite

It gets like this every few years, I think this time people are just flapping more, its a cycle of downward talking, plus the real financial issues. Loads of diggers and others will get laid off, and jobs will be bloody hard to get, I don't see how an NVQ will get you a job except as curiosity value, if your unit pays for it, great, otherwise people want to hire people with track record.

I'm spending a grand of my own money on training, but its going on driving lessons...

[matthew.law]

Oxbeast, it's certainly beyond my means right now, although the IfA (who helpfully freely admit it's a lot of money)say on their website that they were going to talk to the Learning and Skills Council about providing assistance. I wonder how that's going?

Of course, the other problem is how do you complete any new on-the-job training if you don't have a job?

Matt