Driving learners
RICS aims to provide a one-stop shop globally for all training requirements, writes Duncan Johnson
Employers and employees face a more complex business world than that encountered by previous generations – knowledge gained during the early years of employment will need to be refreshed and updated to sustain today’s professionals over their working lives.
In recognition of the need to provide training, which supports ongoing technical competencies, as well as management training to those developing their careers, a new RICS Professional Education division has been established.
“The aim is to offer a wide range of educational and training provisions to trainees, members, and others working in land, property and the built environment,” says Mark Powell, RICS Director of Accreditation and Training.
RICS Professional Education will provide face-to-face, blended and distance learning to support individuals, from new starters to senior directors working towards membership of RICS, and to support members with their lifelong learning.
“Initially, 28 courses will be delivered at a variety of locations across the UK. They are the product of feedback from more than 50 RICS member firms, qualitative research with internal RICS stakeholders and extensive competitor analysis,” explains Powell.
Core focus
The courses include training categories such as APC process training for trainees, counsellors and supervisors, management and leadership, personal development, business skills, and technical courses.
“The plan is to then take this content to other locations, while building a capability for distance and e-learning,” says Powell. In addition, a range of training programmes will also be developed and marketed in response to member feedback and sector demand.
The development and delivery of training courses is managed by the RICS Professional Education team, which works in conjunction with members and other third party organisations. This ensures that all content is up to date and consistent.
“We work closely with the directors of the Professional Groups but in addition, every six months we receive tracking data, charting the successes and failures of APC candidates.
By using these statistics and anecdotal evidence, we gain a clearer picture of membership needs,” says Pierpaolo Franco, RICS Head of Course Development & Delivery, who has been instrumental in the design of the programme.
The ten mandatory APC competencies have given direction to the new programme but these courses are not only designed to cover competencies as required for final assessment.
As Franco notes, “this is a separate programme, aimed at members and non-members from other professions who want to know more about a given area or refresh existing skills.”
It is not only a good way of exploring a new discipline, but also can help members in the early days of their careers who are yet to decide on a specialism.
The research showed that there was an opportunity to increase competency in the areas of sustainability, valuation, inspection and corporate finance. “So, we designed the first wave of courses accordingly,” says Franco.
“A pool of experts with both the theoretical knowledge and practical aptitude was set up to develop the training course and supporting course material. These senior professionals from across the industry are vital.”
The future
The vision for RICS Professional Education is to provide a one-stop shop globally for all training requirements in relation to RICS standards and regulations for land, property and the built environment.
RICS will deliver high quality training solutions to individuals and organisations that need to understand and meet RICS standards and regulations.
The course portfolio is continually developing in response to market requirements, legislation and members’ business demands – new topics will be added on an ongoing basis. You can help with this.
RICS Professional Education would like to know of any training requirements you currently have, or perceive as a training need for the future.
Email your requirements or comments to: training@rics.org
Further information
To find out more about RICS Professional Education courses, visit www.rics.org/training
Don’t get stuck on your record
Following the introduction of a principles-based approach to the RICS Rules of Conduct in 2007, RICS Regulation has been asking members for their CPD records in order to review them in line with the new regime.
Differences between old and new
The Rule of Conduct for members regarding CPD states: “Continuing Professional Development (CPD) members shall plan, undertake, record and evaluate appropriate continuing professional development and, on request, provide RICS with evidence that they have done so.”
Since the changes to the rules there is no longer a set number of hours required to spend on CPD each year. However, the Regulatory Board has agreed that less than 20 hours is likely to be inadequate.
Instead, your CPD should be appropriate to your needs and areas of specialisation. For example, a business management qualification is no longer a specific requirement. RICS Regulation assesses records with four key criteria in mind:
– Planning
– Learning undertaken
– Results
– Reflection.
How RICS monitors CPD
RICS chooses CPD records to monitor through random sampling of members. We also target those we have a statutory obligation to monitor, such as certified home inspectors and accredited energy assessors. We will request your CPD records by email, and ask that they are submitted within 28 days.
Submitting CPD records
Your CPD records should be an ongoing document which can be provided to RICS Regulation at any time. However, if you are having difficulties in undertaking CPD or completing your records, in the first instance RICS will try to provide guidance on how to overcome these issues.
As a last resort, RICS can penalise members for non-compliance. But RICS’ aim is not to issue penalties but to make learning and recording of CPD more effective. The Regulatory Board have agreed:
– A fixed penalty of £150 will be applied to late submissions
– To grant extensions in extreme circumstances.
Results of monitoring
RICS Regulation provides guidance on recording CPD in the most effective way. It is encouraging that more than 60% of records submitted are generally satisfactory, with assistance given on how to improve recording in the future.
Further information is requested in 15% of cases (e.g. member’s current role) to assess whether the learning is appropriate. Just over 2% are completely satisfactory.
Two common failures are: not evaluating the learning to assess its benefits to you and not reflecting and planning for the additional learning needed. Both are important to ensure that you get maximum benefits from your learning and demonstrate compliance.
How to get the most from your CPD
– Consider your current role and responsibilities
– Include consideration of current skill level and desired skill level
– Consider what learning you have done and how this can be adapted further in the future
– Add CPD courses to your learning record as soon as you book them
– Update your learning once you have completed the course
– Review your records on a monthly basis to identify any changes, or progress made.
Most members use the RICS Professional Development Planner to record their learning and the results of their learning. This can help ensure that all areas RICS Regulation will look at are documented and considered.
This approach to CPD monitoring reflects the Regulatory Board’s commitment to ensuring that members’ CPD records are adequate to meet the demands of their work, and assist them in providing a quality service to their clients.
RICS Regulation publishes an e-newsletter to help members keep updated on legislative and regulatory information. To see how you can use this as part of your CPD, visit www.rics.org/regulationenews
For any queries on what your obligations are and how to comply with the CPD rule, contact RICS Regulation on +44 (0)20 7695 1670 or email regulation@rics.org
For more information, visit www.rics.org/cpd and www.rics.org/learningcycle
