Training

Archaeology is all about understanding the past through the physical objects and remains people left behind. Field archaeologists work in teams on site to dig and carefully record this evidence, which is then studied to see what we can learn. Our award-winning Trainee Archaeologist programme is for people who have no experience or qualification in archaeology but want to start a new and rewarding career.  

You will be given a six-month contract, with the first three months spent attending weekly classroom sessions and working on one of our commercial sites with a dedicated Trainer. There is a mid-point assessment to make sure you’re on track, followed by another three months of working on site mixed in with the wider team. Our end-point assessment then reviews whether you have developed the skills, knowledge and experience needed to work as a professional field archaeologist.

• How to identify, dig and record different types of archaeology 
• Safe working practices on an archaeological site 
• Finds identification 
• The people and processes involved in an archaeological project, including what happens to the data when we finish site work 

• How to identify, dig and record different types of archaeology 
• Safe working practices on an archaeological site 
• Finds identification 
• The people and processes involved in an archaeological project, including what happens to the data when we finish site work 

Our Graduate Archaeologist programme is for people with a degree in archaeology or a closely related subject, who are struggling to secure employment in the sector without commercial experience. The programme builds on the knowledge gained at university. It focuses on recapping key concepts in archaeology and on helping you put knowledge into practice in a commercial environment.  

You will be given a six-month contract to ensure you gain a good level of experience, but can choose to take the end-point assessment any time after the first three months. If you do so, you will complete the programme early and become a MOLA Archaeologist for the remainder of your contract. 

The first three months are spent attending weekly classroom sessions and working on site. This includes up to four weeks with a dedicated Trainer to introduce you to fieldwork in a commercial environment. 

• Recapping key concepts in archaeology, such as stratigraphy 
• Safe working practices on archaeological sites  
• Excavation and recording methodologies 
• Finds identification 
• The people and processes involved in an archaeological project, including post-excavation assessment and archiving 

• Six months’ valuable commercial experience, which is the amount typically required for Archaeologist roles 
• Certificate of achievement, with a transcript of topics covered during the training 
• BAJR Skills Passport and portfolio of work to demonstrate your skills and experience 
• Essential health and safety certifications 
• Support achieving professional accreditation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) at Practitioner level 

Our Trainee Supervisor programme is for experienced field archaeologists looking to take the next steps in their career and progress to being site supervisors, in a structured and supported environment.  

The programme is four months long. If you are not already an employee, you will be given an initial contract to cover the duration of the programme.  

The first eight weeks are spent attending weekly classroom sessions and shadowing a supervisor on site. This gives you the opportunity to put things you’ve learned into practice without being ultimately responsible. There is then a mid-point assessment to evaluate whether you are ready to supervise a site independently. After this you will spend six weeks leading a project (or a portion of a much larger scheme). The end-point assessment reviews whether you have met the learning outcomes of the programme in full. It includes an in-person monitoring visit by one of our Trainers.  

• Excavation and recording strategies, and how to implement these on site 
• Managing people and teams effectively 
• Additional health, safety and environmental responsibilities for site supervisors 
• Commercial skills, including liaising with clients and monitoring progress 
• Post-excavation and reporting techniques 

• Four months’ valuable experience as a site supervisor on commercial projects 
• Certificate of achievement, with a transcript of topics covered during the training 
• Portfolio of work to demonstrate your skills and experience 
• Essential health and safety certifications, including First Aid and SSSTS 
• Support achieving professional accreditation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) at Associate level