1. Training, re-skilling and professional development: developing practical methodologies for better archaeological careers Chiz Harward Diggers’ Forum Urban Archaeology …define, record, remove…

2. Training for site staff: Variable training at universities Short term contracts Unpredictable work locations Often away from office May not hear of training opportunities, the ‘Intranet Syndrome’ Hard to reach for formal training sessions?

3. Lack of real feedback Lack of knowledge and understanding Poor quality of workLack of training and coachingDisengagement with the job Lack of personal commitment to improvement ‘Fill of pit’

4. Training for the select or the many: ‘The disposable heroes of stratigraphy?’ How do we know we are picking the right trainees?

5. Embedding learning and training into the working week, on site, available to all at the point of need

6. Place skills and knowledge in their context, show the Big Picture, and What Happens Next…. Training should provide a view of potential career progression, and to start that progression Break down the barriers between archaeologists and supervisors/specialists

7. On-site training Weekly Toolbox Talks on relevant subjects Semi-formal training sessions and seminars Visiting specialists carry out seminars with site staff Site tours and discussions of findings Hand outs, reading material and reference collections Debriefing after projects Sharing the post-ex Seminars and training sessions during downtime, with handouts Explain the process and what happens next….

9. Recording training and progression Skills passport based on NOS Verified by ‘assessors’ in-house Linked to individual’s CPD log/PDP plan Linked to employer appraisal schemes Shared responsibility between individual and employers

10. Training in practice Ensure methodologies are logical and sensible Training opportunities for all, not the selected few Embed training within the working day and create a culture of learning and enquiry Training should promote wider awareness to widen understanding and allow an insight into potential progression Shared responsibility: allow ‘ownership’ of training by the employee: skills checklists and CPD log Provide the time for training, but also time to carry out the job once trained

11. chiz@urban-archaeology.co.uk diggers@archaeologists.net Urban Archaeology …define, record, remove…