Getting started in archaeology

Here are some useful links and resources to help you get started in archaeology as a career. If you need any help or advice please get in touch at admin [at] archaeologists.net

Membership and professional accreditation

• Student/Affiliate membership of CIfA - joining the Institute is a good way to find out about more and keep up to date with training and networking opportunities

• Professional pathways - provides structured resources to support Student and Affiliate members to upgrade and new applicants to apply to Practitioner (PCIfA).

• Becoming a professional - information about professional archaeologists

• Eight things to help your career during Covid 19

Qualifications and training

• Training opportunities - You can access information about CIfA training and events

• NVQ in Archaeological Practice - available through CIfA to anyone paid or voluntary in archaeology who can submit appropriate evidence. This demonstrates skills, competencies and experience which helps with applying for jobs and gives CIfA accreditation at Practitioner (PCIfA).

• Accredited Degrees - based in the UK, offered jointly by the CIfA and the University Archaeology UK group (UAUK).

• Apprenticeships - new apprenticeships (levels 3-7) are being designed through the government’s ‘trailblazer’ process to provide new entry routes. A group of organisations from across the sector are involved. See Historic England's webpage or contact Philip.Pollard [at] historicengland.org.uk for more details.

• Employer training schemes - many archaeology companies and organisations offer training and some of these are CIfA Approved. These include:
  Allen Archaeology Ltd
  Archaeological Research Services
  Archaeology Wales
  Archaeology Warwickshire
  Canterbury Archaeological Trust
  Cotswold Archaeology
  GUARD Archaeology
  Headland Archaeology
  John Moore Heritage Services
  MOLA
  Pre-Construct Archaeology
  Oxford Archaeology
  Red River Archaeology
  Rubicon Heritage
  University of Leicester Archaeological Services
  Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Services

• 'Trainees and training programmes - what you should expect' - CIfA's Diggers' Forum have written this guide to assist trainees.

Resources and support

• Writing a CV - guide to help you get the most out of your CV

• Example CV

• Jobs Information and Training Service (JIST) free to CIfA members - keep up to date with jobs and training opportunities.

• British Archaeological Jobs and Resource (BAJR) is another jobs resource and forum. Their Skills Passport can be used to build up a record of competence in archaeological skills.

• Careers in aerial archaeology - poster reproduced with permission of Air Photo Services

• Careers in Archaeological illustration and survey - a link to advice from CIfA Graphics Archaeology group