Face-to-face

Mark Anders is the first qualified RICS Associate. He reflects on how it has enhanced his career as a trainee surveyor

Training and professional development is taken very seriously at DCT Civil Engineering where I work and I was actively encouraged to source professional training in relation to my job function.

I hadn’t previously heard of the qualification but following web-based research I came across the RICS Associate grade and found that it matched my requirements.

Currently, I’m studying for a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management and felt that achieving the Associate grade would prove invaluable in my continuing progression towards both my career and educational goals.

As it is my long-term intention to achieve MRICS, I believe that the Associate grade is a vital stage in that process.

For me, at this stage in my career, it was a simple choice. Achieving Associate membership with RICS provides a level of competence and ethics that are invaluable to clients.

Moreover, association with the highly regarded RICS could only benefit DCT’s commercial advantage over our competitors, giving clients the confidence that their project is in safe hands.

The qualification is distinctive and perfectly placed to demonstrate an individual’s ability in their field. The assessment process requires an individual to question their own ethical values and provides a sound knowledge for future progression.

In fact, the most challenging and rewarding aspect of achieving the qualification was the ethical assessment.

The case studies really make you think about how you interact with clients and colleagues and how your actions can have an impact on your organisation and society.

I’ve been lucky that continued study is such an essential component of DCT’s organisational activity. Quite simply, training and development is seen as an investment in the future success of the organisation and essential for the delivery of a quality service.

I’ve also been particularly fortunate with my proposer, Don Alsop, QS director at DCT. Don has been a MRICS for many years, and his ability to lead, encourage, motivate and mentor have been the catalyst to my current educational and career success.

I think that RICS plays a key role in the industry, offering up-to-date, relevant and effective advice to property professionals and in my opinion the Associate grade membership enhances this by identifying those individuals who have the required education skills and ethical values.

Further information
www.ricsassociate.org