Week 34: Month 18
The 18-month meeting means there are only six months to go before the final assessment interview. This is now the time to really start to knuckle down and focus on the final hurdle ahead.
The supervisor and counsellor have an important role in the coming months in ensuring that all candidate work is completed to the required standard and signed off.
The general process for the 18-month meeting is similar to all of the other three- monthly meetings we have discussed in past months. Refresh yourselves on the general points by revisiting the APC articles in Property Week for the six- and 12-month meetings in the last six months or visit www.propertyweek.com/apc
The main content of the 18-month meeting articles over the next few weeks will focus on the critical analysis, making the decision of what project to choose and then concentrating on writing and checking that the critical analysis report is produced professionally.
It is again important to revisit previous articles and comments. It takes time to get the critical analysis right, so be prepared to redraft the report several times before the final copy is produced to the satisfaction of all parties involved.
Too many candidates leave their critical analysis preparation too late. In both the DeLever timeline wallchart and past APC articles it is clearly stated that the critical analysis has been a topic of discussion since the six-month meeting, so there is really no excuse for complacency at this time.
Outside help
As the critical analysis report is progressing I would also advise the candidate to start to prime contacts who may be willing to review and critically comment on the draft versions.
Do not forget: the report should be easy to read, as well as professionally and technically competent. I always suggest that at least 10 people read the report, of whom a minimum of three should be ‘lay people’ who do not have any knowledge of surveying but can comment on readability and understanding of its content.
The 18-month meeting should be punctuated with a discussion and review of the candidate’s progress since the last three-month meeting. Make sure that part of the discussion focuses on a review of how the candidate’s training is being achieved in line with the goals set in the future training plan, produced at month 12 during the interim assessment.
Dust off the APC guides and read them again. In these last few months the prudent candidate, supervisor and counsellor will be constantly reviewing and revisiting the APC/ATC requirements and competencies guide, along with the relevant pathway competency guide, to ensure the documented reports being produced exactly match the minimum requirements.
As this time in the process has a heavy focus on the critical analysis, candidates are advised not to lose sight of the other general requirements of the 18-month meeting and the diary. Log books, professional development and record of progress still need to addressed, and not left to pile up through lack of action.
Candidates, supervisors and counsellors need to step up the momentum, and ensure that all aspects of the final few months of the APC process are gathered up and meticulously planned to be delivered at the right time, ready for the final assessment.
My closing thoughts for this week are that everything is achievable and there is still sufficient time if you start now. If you do not heed this advice you will still be able to achieve all that is required, but you will do it in a rushed and stressful manner, which is not ideal. The more that stress can be minimised now the better. Candidates need all their energy and wits about them for the final assessment, so it is best not to waste resources by rushing at the final stages if the process can be carefully planned.
- The RICS has launched its new website.
See www.rics.org/apc for all of the relevant APC information. Do not forget the rules of conduct too at www.rics.org/newregulation
Next week: month 18 supervisor and counsellor review, part 2 – candidate preparation
By Jon Lever, managing director of DeLever, APC chairman of assessors, RICS training adviser and RICS licensed assessor trainer. DeLever produces APC resources, training and software: go to www.delever.com
Competency: Environmental Assessment
Environmental assessment has become a key concept for the chartered surveyor. Alongside the mandatory competencies, demonstrating competence in the assessment of environmental issues is the key enabler.
A tricky issue relates to boundaries. While an argument can be made in principle for assessing the environmental impact of development projects, problems can nevertheless be identified in its use and application. There are four main issues:
Use these four criteria as the basis to critically analyse all the evidence you intend to present to demonstrate your competence. They set a framework in which you demonstrate how you have assessed all the issues concerned in the project.
To establish your competence in environmental assessment, you must at level 1 demonstrate knowledge and understanding of appropriate environmental assessment concepts, processes and systems. This should include responsibilities imposed by law, codes of practice and other regulations.
To help you demonstrate your competence, make file notes about what the requirement is what the source of the requirement is, what the options for meeting the requirement are and why the option chosen was selected.
As normal, at level 2 you need to demonstrate that you have the competence to apply in practice your understanding
of environmental assessment and the requirements for compliance, including undertaking an environmental assessment.
At level 3 you need to provide evidence of reasoned advice including the preparation and production of reports based on appropriate environmental assessments.
Do not forget to use and reference the array of documentation from the RICS, including an excellent research document entitled A Green Profession? published in March 2007.
By Ben Elder, director at the College of Estate Management, the leading provider of distance learning to the property industry. He is a member of the RICS valuation faculty board and an RICS ATC assessor. www.cem.ac.uk
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