Benchmarking Competency in Maritime Archaeology
What is competence?
The 1934 edition of the Oxford English dictionary suggests that competence is “ability (to do, for a task)” and competent is “properly qualified (to do, for a task)”. Does that same definition hold true in 2007? And how does this relate to, or define the practice of maritime archaeology? Are there sufficient standards in place to benchmark against, and what is benchmarking really?
The Nautical Archaeology Society has recently been commissioned by English Heritage to answer these questions and more, in its new study entitled “Benchmarking Competence Requirements and Training Opportunities in Maritime Archaeology.”
Two years in development, this project is intended to relate training to standards. The research is designed to identify the range and level of skills required in maritime archaeology, define competencies, identify and define how ‘fit-for-purpose’ training is developed in order to meet those standards, and to determine how sufficient opportunities can be provided to both gain and maintain competencies.
The aims of the research are therefore, to:
- Define “maritime” archaeology
- Identify the range of specific skills within the discipline
- Characterise the specific competencies required to meet appropriate standards
- Benchmark training and other opportunities by which professional & avocational archaeologists can acquire competency
We recognise that this may not be all encompassing. The research process will be a very open and consultative one for exactly this reason.
Public Consultation
Input is now being sought from a variety of individuals and organisations interested in maritime archaeology, education, training and standards. Workshops are being held in Edinburgh on the 24th January, London on the 31st January and Plymouth on the 8th February. These workshops are open to anyone with an interest in the marine historic environment, and are designed to supplement the online survey questionnaire available below (please return by 1st April). The project design is also available for download below, along with an introductory presentation, and information document designed to inform the consultation. If you have any questions or queries regarding the workshops, public consultation, or the project itself, then please contact Sarah Ward at the NAS Head Office.
Project Design
(391kb PDF)
Survey Questionnaire
(523kb PDF)
Presentation
(7mb PDF)
Information Document
(432kb PDF)
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