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Archaeological Apprentice

Summary

 

This is an excellent opportunity to begin your career in archaeological fieldwork. We are looking to appoint two Apprentices, working from our Edinburgh office, with at least 51% of your time spent on field projects in England with our colleagues from our offices in London, Milton Keynes and York.

Wage

£26,707 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training courseArchaeological technician (level 3)
HoursShifts to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 31 August 2026

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

This is an excellent opportunity to begin your career in archaeological fieldwork. We are looking to appoint two Apprentices, working from our Edinburgh office, with at least 51% of your time spent on field projects in England with our colleagues from our offices in London, Milton Keynes and York.

This apprenticeship will provide you with an excellent opportunity to gain an understanding of fieldwork archaeology, and to gain key practical and creative skills in a commercial environment. It is vital that you are a good team member with a positive and enthusiastic approach to archaeology. You will also need to be self-motivated and able to study independently under your own initiative.

We encourage our team to grow, and you will be supported by a senior member of AOC who will assist in improving your skill set and further your career using our bespoke Job Aspiration Matrix. This includes access to a training budget to attend conferences and paid membership to CIfA. The transferrable skills that you develop will give you the chance to progress into a diverse range of roles and will prepare you for future employment.

As 51% of the apprenticeship will be completed in England away work will be required. Accommodation and subsistence of £21 per night away will be provided during away work. The candidate will ideally have a full driving licence and be over 18 years old at the beginning of the apprenticeship.

As part of the apprenticeship, you will receive a comprehensive training plan that covers all of the tasks you will be expected to complete day to day (as listed below). This training will include classroom sessions, eLearning and on the job training. In addition, you will have one day a week of learning provided by Cirencester College, this will be made up of lectures and workshops plus self-led learning. If you don’t have a Level 2 or higher in Maths and English, you will also achieve these during your apprenticeship.

Specific tasks will include:

  • Hand Excavation
  • On site recording including planning
  • Photography
  • Sediment Sampling
  • Landscape survey
  • Instrument survey
  • Sample processing
  • Artifact cleaning
  • Sample sorting
  • Basic laboratory analysis
  • Stores work
  • Preparation of site archives
  • Data input
  • Prepare reports either for consultancy or conclusion of a fieldwork project
  • Work to standards stipulated by adopted resolutions eg CIFA.
  • Be aware of and adhere to Health & Safety and Fire Procedures
  • Comply with Risk Assessments for all projects
  • Attend site inductions and toolbox talks as required
  • Driving company vehicles

Where you’ll work

  • Working from our Edinburgh office, with at least 51% of your time spent on field projects in England with our colleagues from our offices in London, Milton Keynes and York

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

Training course

Archaeological technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you’ll learn

Course contents
  • Apply an awareness of professional judgement and ethical behaviour.
  • Research and assimilate appropriate background information, including that from project specific Written Schemes of Investigation, archaeological archives and reports, aerial photographic collections, LiDAR data, and geophysical and topographic surveys and local and national listings.
  • Catalogue data recovered from archaeological excavations, including environmental and geological samples, artefacts and ecofacts.
  • Maintain their own safety, and that of others, by adhering to all applicable Health and Safety rules, policies and procedures.
  • Recognise and report risks in order to reduce the risk of incidents.
  • Conduct work in line with Employer’s and industry procedures and standards, specifically the CIfA Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation, Watching Brief, Evaluation and Archives.
  • Establish the requirements upon them for forthcoming projects, including timescales, deadlines, work locations and supervisors.
  • Estimate resources and select appropriate equipment, including hand tools, survey, recording and measuring equipment, and artefact sampling, collection packaging, labelling and processing equipment.
  • Investigate and understand archaeological sites and heritage assets.
  • Recognise and be able to appropriately package and preserve fragile material evidence of past communities.
  • Compile catalogues and databases of archaeological context records, samples and finds.
  • Contribute to the preparation of archaeological site archives and materials for museum deposition.
  • Carry out work both indoors and outdoors in variable weather conditions, all year round.
  • Identify information required to achieve research objectives, for instance reference to project specific Written Schemes of Investigation for archaeological strategies, and to appropriate published regional, period or subject research agendas.
  • Follow correct procedures to access and use information, including Employer’s technical manuals, GIS systems and databases.
  • Validate/evaluate accuracy of  information, including proof reading of data entry and reports.
  • Categorise and classify data appropriately, including creation of databases and stratigraphic matrices for archaeological excavations.
  • Present and report data using field records in appropriate form for various audiences, including plans, sections, pro-forma context recording sheets and databases.
  • Contribute to advances in the body of knowledge and Historic Environment Practice.
  • Commit to continuous improvement and personal development.

Training schedule

  • Archaeological Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
  • Cirencester College

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C / 4)
  • Maths (grade C / 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

 

This position, although based in Edinburgh, will require at least 51% of your time to be spent working away in England. This will mean regular working away from home with overnight stays away.

Cirencester College reserves the right to close this vacancy before the stated deadline once sufficient applications have been received

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