Update 1: Wintringham Site 3 so far
The initial work on site 3 at Wintringham has taken place over the past few months and now OA Cambridge are starting to investigate the main focus of a large Iron Age and Roman settlement.
A strong passion for archaeology is a key requirement to join our team. Once you've joined us, we will offer all the tools and opportunities for you to develop your career in the sector.
We run a Graduate Trainee to Supervisor Pathway that is approved by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. It provides all the training to develop as a professional archaeologist, learn about the different disciplines within archaeology, support your exploration of your own archaeological interests, and become an innovator in the sector.
Our training is currently structured in three phases: Graduate Trainee to Archaeologist, Archaeologist to Assistant Supervisor, and Assistant Supervisor to Supervisor.
Since starting the A2AS Scheme I have been given so many brilliant opportunities. Working alongside my colleagues, I have been able to continuously deepen my understanding of archaeology. I am very lucky to be someone who looks forward to their job each day, and I am excited to continue my journey with Oxford Archaeology.
Freya, Field Archaeologist
Your start in professional archaeology, with our support
If you have a degree in archaeology, or a related discipline - perhaps geology or classics - then this programme provides a great way into the world of commercial field archaeology. It has been running since 2014, and during that time over 300 graduates have joined us. You don't need perfectly honed archaeological fieldwork skills - you will learn all these on site under the watchful eye of your experienced mentors, many of whom will once have been through the GT programme themselves.
The programme lasts for 6 months, with scored milestones every 6 weeks to check on your progress, as well as halfway-point and final reviews. When, after 12 weeks, you earn the scores required to pass onto the second half of the programme, you will also receive a pay rise. When you successfully complete the GT programme (and depending on the programme of work at the time), you will be promoted to Archaeologist, complete with a further pay rise. We will support you to gain accreditation at PCIfA. You will also be enrolled onto our Archaeologist to Assistant Supervisor (A2AS) Programme.
In charge of your own professional development
"After some years working for various companies I joined Oxford Archaeology mainly because of the A2AS scheme. Because I'm coming from different archaeological background, I wanted to learn more while working in different kind of projects. So this scheme really helped me to understand and adapt to British commercial archaeology and learn new skills with theoretical training days and hands on experience."
Ioannis, Archaeologist
The A2AS programme encourages you to seek out opportunities to enhance your career, and record your ongoing experience in the relevant sections of your training pack. It is also ideal for suitably experienced staff who join the company from outside. As well as recording your experiences and progress in a structured way, the programme includes four training days a year. Each training day will involve classroom sessions led by Oxford Archaeology experts in their field. It's a great way to experience different departments and gain an in-depth understanding of archiving, finds processing, environmental processing, and so on.
There are no time limits placed on the programme – everyone can take it at their own pace – but on average it takes between 18 months and two years to complete. Each office (Cambridge, Lancaster and Oxford) has a Training Manager who will oversee your progress, provide you with support, and answer any questions that you may have. When you feel that you have gained enough experience to gain promotion to Assistant Supervisor (AS), you can present your A2AS pack to the Training Manager as evidence of your experience. If successful, they will recommend you for promotion to Assistant Supervisor, and you will receive a pay rise. You will also move onto the Assistant Supervisor Training Programme.
Preparing you for the next step in your career
"I have been with Oxford Archaeology for 5 years and have found it to be a great place to work. My fellow archaeologists are a welcoming group of people and ready to help if needed. I began as a Graduate Trainee and the training schemes have supported me through my progression as an archaeologist. I am now in a position where I am supervising and still loving my job and OA a long 5 years after I started. Even though it can tough sometimes when my body is aching, travelling across the country with bad British weather, I would not change any of it.'
Sarah, Assistant Supervisor
The AS Training Programme builds on the previous schemes and trains our Assistant Supervisors to the point where they have the experience to apply for promotion to Fieldwork Supervisor, although we appreciate that not everyone may wish to follow this route and there may be opportunities in other departments. The programme is also open to suitably experienced new recruits.
Like the A2AS programme, we expect you to seek out opportunities for your career advancement and record your fieldwork and reading experiences, but you will have considerably more responsibility in your day-to-day site role. The programme includes sessions in the classroom, but also external training for safe plant supervision, first aid and other qualifications. During your time on the AS Training Programme, you will gain both the experience and training that our Supervisors need to safely undertake the role. This means that when a Supervisor position arises you will be well placed to apply for it.
