Archaeology Training Forum
Meeting on the 18 December 2013
1pm PG141, Bournemouth University Talbot Campus,
Bournemouth
MINUTES
Attendees: Anthony Sinclair, Kate Geary, Tara Sutcliffe, Bob Hook, Robin Turner
1.
Apologies
Ken Smith, Rebecca Jones, Mark Beattie-Edwards, Raimund Karl, Chiz
Harward, Stewart Bryant
2.
Minutes of last meeting (18 September 2013)
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
3.
Matters arising & action points from last meeting
 Communication: TJS noted that Mike Feider is leaving CBA and that will
have implications for maintaining the ATF mailing list, so it would be a
good time to move to a straightforward circulation list
 AS reported that Ray Karl had attended the SCFA meeting and that AS
had spoken to Carl Heron (SCFA chair) who is keen to set up regular
liaison meetings with ATF, IfA and FAME. Discussion to include linking
academic qualifications to the NVQ and building better relationships with
commercial units, focussing on fieldwork opportunities. Action: AS to
contact Carl Heron to set up meeting
 BH reported that a new body – the University Vocational Awards Council
– has been set up with an emphasis on promoting Higher
Apprenticeships. BH is meeting with them in the New Year and will report
back at the next meeting. Action: BH to circulate details
 BH explained the background to the HEF task groups on skills. One is
aimed at stimulating demand from clients for better skills and the second
is charged with looking at the disconnect between academic provision
and vocational needs. Action: BH to circulate minutes from the
original event. BH to also circulate details of the Richards Review of
Apprenticeships and the a new review looking more generally at
vocational qualifications
 No progress on NVQ Level 4 as yet. BH noted that EH might be able to
fund some work. It was acknowledged that the greatest chance for long
term stability for NVQs is through more general historic environment
qualifications with specialist (eg archaeology) options. Action: KG to
check timescale for review of NVQs.
 Action: KG to circulate NAS e-learning link with the minutes.
Access to the ELearning lessons can be done by visiting
moodle.nauticalarchaeologysociety.org
Login using the following:
Username:Student
Password: V3r1,Cxr32
4.
Report from CCSkills
There was no report from CCSKills. BH had attended the last industry
advisory panel meeting. The next meeting will consider the industry panel’s
role in more detail.
5.
Heritage Counts Report
BH summarised the report’s findings, bringing together various LMI reports
from across the historic environment sector. BH noted that 8 new or
refreshed LMI research datasets are now available, BH is working on a
digest and will circulate in due course. RT noted that the Scottish Historic
Environment Audit is equivalent and is carried out every 3 years. Action:
BH to forward link to CCSkills research on skills and Heritage Counts
report as a pdf
Action: AS to respond formally on behalf of ATF, draft to be circulated
to ATF members for comment by end of Jan 14
6.
ATF Vision and forward plan
The FAME/SCFA WP has been agreed in principle but need further
information from PC at the next meeting. The mechanism for advertising
fieldwork placements was discussed. TJS suggested using BAJR but there is
potential to advertise via the IfA website. Action: KG to report back on this
at the next meeting
As noted earlier, staffing at CBA will have implications for changes to the
website although Sarah Howard will update content when necessary. It was
suggested that a blogger or wordpress blog site would be free and easier to
update and maintain as all Forum members could have access.
AS noted that there might be potential for sponsorship of a website from
Antuquity. It was agreed to investigate other options for the next meeting.
NVQ development had been discussed under Matters Arising. KG and AS
had discussed the potential for an HEA funded workshop to help HEIs looking
to align their provision with NOS/vocational requirements. Could also include
University Vocational Awards Council.
Action: AS to contact HEA re funding
7.
Annual Report
It was agreed that this should be renamed as a Forward Plan and progress
summary and should focus more on what the Forum has done including
updating the Forward Plan and the Training Award. It was agreed that it
would be shorter and be primarily web-based although a flier could be
produced for inclusion in delegates packs at the IfA Conference, FAME
Forum and TAG
Action: KG to amend and send to Sarah Howard to put on the ATF
website
8.
OUDCE Professional Training in the Historic Environment courses
KG reported that this year the programme of short courses had been liked
to NOS (work carried out by KG and funded by EH). ATF agreed to approve
the courses but would like further input into the course evaluation forms to
make them more relevant to CPD.
9.
AOB
RT asked for an update on IfA progress with chartership. KG reported that
the formal petition had been submitted following the AGM in October and
that the application was undergoing formal consultation. There is no
indication at present of how long this will take or when a decision might be
expected.
AS noted that the benchmarking statement for archaeology was under
review. A panel will be set up, headed by Mark Pearce at Nottingham, and
is due to report in June. ATF will provide comments and the consultation will
be circulated as soon as it is available.
TJS noted that only one applicant to the CBA’s most recent round of Skills
for the Future placements had supplied a personal development plan/CPD
log and wondered if personal development planning formed part of the
statement.
10.
Dates of Future Meetings:
April 2014 in Glasgow to coincide with the IfA Conference. KG to confirm date
and venue as soon as possible.
The next meeting will be aligned with the FAME Forum in June/July and will
replace the previously scheduled June Edinburgh meeting.