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Apprentice Fieldwork Archaeologist
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Training towards becoming a field archaeologist
Training towards becoming a field archaeologist, excavating, recording, and interpreting archaeological features; collecting artefacts and environmental samples; and processing finds, materials, and survey data. Ideal for those starting or changing careers, leading to a qualification as a field archaeologist.
Wage: £23,090 a year.
Training course: Archaeological technician (level 3)
Hours: Usual site hours hours Monday - Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm (including 1-hour of unpaid break). Hours may vary site to site and depending on the time of year. 37 hours 30 minutes a week
Start date: Monday 24 August 2026
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 2
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
You will work closely with a mentor contributing as part of a team to the investigation of archaeological remains on various sites. The work is mainly outdoors, in all weather conditions. Applicants should be aware of the physical nature of the role and must be willing and able to work outside in cold, wet, or hot conditions.
Initially, you will be working on various sites where you will learn the basics of the job and acquire an understanding of health, safety and the environment. You will learn to manually excavate both small and large archaeological features using hand tools; trowels, shovels, and mattocks.
You will also learn to interpret and record archaeological features using a range of techniques, including photography, context recording and survey drawings.
As well as contributing to site excavations, you will have the opportunity to learn how archaeological finds are processed and interpreted. You will work with our post-excavation team to help process and identify different types of finds.
After your onboarding (at our Leeds office) you will mostly be working away on various projects before going on to a large infrastructure project in Essex where you will be working with a large field team.
Due to the various locations of our projects, it is essential that you are able to travel to our Leeds office and are flexible to work on away jobs. A driving licence is essential and access to your own transport desirable. You will be provided with accommodation and may have the option of staying over weekends. If you are provided with self-catering accommodation, then you will be paid subsistence at the standard rate.
Where you'll work
Clayton Business Centre
Midland Road
Leeds
LS10 2RJ
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.
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Training schedule
Archaeological Technician Level 3
Cirencester College
Whilst most of the training will take place with the employer, you will be required to attend college classes remotely on Friday mornings during term.
You may also have the opportunity to attend a field trip with the college during your apprenticeship.
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.
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Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Candidates must be willing to work in rural locations, away from home, living in shared accommodation (note you will have your own room). A subsistence payment of £23.50 per night will be given to contribute to food etc. The role is physically demanding, using tools to manually excavate potentially large archaeological features, so candidates need to be physically able. Necessary tools, equipment and PPE will be provided. Interviews will take place in August 2026. No previous skills or experience in archaeology are required, making this ideal for career changers, but an enthusiasm for the subject is essential. A valid Driving Licence is essential. Cirencester College reserves the right to close the vacancy once sufficient applications have been received.
CFA Archaeology
CFA Archaeology grew out of an established unit within Edinburgh University’s Department of Archaeology, becoming a separate Ltd company in 2000. Over the intervening years, CFA has grown to become one of the leading archaeological practices in the UK, operating out of four thriving offices running up the spine of the country. Although CFA has developed and grown, we have not lost sight of where we came from. We still seek out interesting and exciting archaeology and there is still that small-team ethic of co-operation and a sociable working atmosphere. Many of our staff have grown with us and we have learned to invest in our staff so that they have the training and confidence they need to progress and be rewarded with the opportunities they deserve. You will join a friendly but professionally focussed and forward-looking team, who strives to work together, supporting and encouraging each other to rise to all challenges.
https://www.cfa-archaeology.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, candidates will be offered a full-time contract as a fieldwork archaeologist with CFA Archaeology (contingent on projects being available).
Opportunities to move into other departments may be possible, subject to roles becoming available.
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CIRENCESTER COLLEGE
Apprenticeships
apprenticeships@cirencester.ac.uk
01285 626259
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043445.
Closes in 10 days (Friday 31 July 2026)
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