Training Diggers and Changing Cultures: Embedding a ‘Training Hour’ within the Working Week

Abstract

This paper focuses on the need to ensure that all archaeologists receive focused training and development opportunities from the start of their professional careers. The paper describes simple routes to provide relevant archaeological training for all site staff, within their day-to-day work environment in the working week. A ‘training hour’ is proposed as a mutual commitment to embed training within the working week and throughout the year, with shared ownership of training and a personal log linked to a scheme such as the BAJR skills passport. This paper is based on a presentation made at the Winchester University 2012 day conference ‘21st Century Archaeologists’.