Quantity Surveyors - RICS APC
Discussion
I was wondering if there are any chartered QS’s on here that might be able to give me a bit of direction in completing my APC. I am keen to become a member of RICS, however only one person in the company I work for is currently a member and has been for so long that they are completely out of touch with the process. They have agreed to sponsor me for membership, but cannot offer any guidance or direction in anything else.
I do know in other companies that are more geared up towards this that people are assigned a mentor and there will be past submissions etc for reference, but as I am the first here to look to do this (everyone else is happily bedded in and doesn’t feel the need to put in extra effort) I am in a sink or swim situation. I am really just looking to find out what is expected of candidates for their logbook, development record and critical analysis.
Don’t worry... I am not looking for someone to mentor me; I am just looking for a nudge in the right direction as all I have is what can be downloaded from the RICS website. If anyone has any guidance notes etc that could give me a better idea of what is expected of me.
Thanks in advance.
I do know in other companies that are more geared up towards this that people are assigned a mentor and there will be past submissions etc for reference, but as I am the first here to look to do this (everyone else is happily bedded in and doesn’t feel the need to put in extra effort) I am in a sink or swim situation. I am really just looking to find out what is expected of candidates for their logbook, development record and critical analysis.
Don’t worry... I am not looking for someone to mentor me; I am just looking for a nudge in the right direction as all I have is what can be downloaded from the RICS website. If anyone has any guidance notes etc that could give me a better idea of what is expected of me.
Thanks in advance.
Are you already doing your APC? You said 'completing' as if you are already part way through? If so who is your mentor/appointed person on that?
If you dont have one, people can be appointed and brough into companies for the sole purpose. May be more cost effective per person if you can get someone else to do it aswell?
If your current company doesnt really care about it is your purpose for doing it for moving on? If so you could always try and get a new job with a proper training programme with a view to doing it there? A lot of companies are willing to take people on who are working towards chartership.
If you dont have one, people can be appointed and brough into companies for the sole purpose. May be more cost effective per person if you can get someone else to do it aswell?
If your current company doesnt really care about it is your purpose for doing it for moving on? If so you could always try and get a new job with a proper training programme with a view to doing it there? A lot of companies are willing to take people on who are working towards chartership.
Edited by vescaegg on Monday 10th November 09:01
Job 1: does the company have a structured training framework? If not, you may need to sketch one out and give to RICS prior to enrolement. - that's how it was in 2007 when I started.
Call the RICS and see what they need to register and who can you your supervisor and counsellor - it may have to be someone outside your firm if there is only one member in it though.
Once you've got enrolled etc, sit down and have a look at the competences and what you want to do, and figure out how to get the experience (this should inform your structured training wot sit anyway).
Logbook and so on are on the website as a downloadable file. It's all fairly self explanatory.
I cannot stress enough how useful it is to have other guys in your position. Go to some local MATRICS events and make some pals also starting out on the APC, you'll come to rely on each other nearer submission time
Call the RICS and see what they need to register and who can you your supervisor and counsellor - it may have to be someone outside your firm if there is only one member in it though.
Once you've got enrolled etc, sit down and have a look at the competences and what you want to do, and figure out how to get the experience (this should inform your structured training wot sit anyway).
Logbook and so on are on the website as a downloadable file. It's all fairly self explanatory.
I cannot stress enough how useful it is to have other guys in your position. Go to some local MATRICS events and make some pals also starting out on the APC, you'll come to rely on each other nearer submission time
I haven't started, I am just at the stage of looking into starting it. There isn't any structure in place and no one else will be doing it, so would be handy of there was sample submissions etc anywhere online to have a look at.
I don't want to look for another job which will have a training structure and do I want to leave once I have completed the process, I just feel that in future this will count for something internally as I am making the effort to develop rather than sitting stagnant.
I have downloaded the logbook etc from the website and just wasn't sure how much detail you would put on these and if the detail is covered in your interview?
I don't want to look for another job which will have a training structure and do I want to leave once I have completed the process, I just feel that in future this will count for something internally as I am making the effort to develop rather than sitting stagnant.
I have downloaded the logbook etc from the website and just wasn't sure how much detail you would put on these and if the detail is covered in your interview?
is this something that you are doing intrinsically for yourself, or are you expecting a load of extra benefits because of it?
Its a private boys club, to make themselves feel important. People say that you will be able to walk into jobs because of it, when infact I have always found that the correct person will get the job.
I know this will set eyes rolling etc, but this is my personal view.
Its a private boys club, to make themselves feel important. People say that you will be able to walk into jobs because of it, when infact I have always found that the correct person will get the job.
I know this will set eyes rolling etc, but this is my personal view.
Mattt said:
MRICS is required by many Clients, I know experienced & decent guys who Clients just won't accept as they don't have the letters - rightly or wrongly.
It does help with applying for jobs very much IMO.
Who do you mean by clients? A guy at our last place had Chartership 1 year after finishing Uni as he did it as part of his final year. In the real world it did diddly squat for him.It does help with applying for jobs very much IMO.
As said, its a boys club. Idiots who wont look at you for a job because you dont have the letters is not somewhere id remotely want to work.
I only know a handful of people professionally who have it. 95% of people I know from trainees to Managing Director level do not have any accreditations.
Edited by vescaegg on Tuesday 11th November 21:06
I've been a QS for 26 years now, no RICS to my name, hasn't affected what I do nor the respect I get. Never been out of work, descent income well above average going rate.... and why I hear you ask ?
Letters after name don't get you respect, it's all about how you conduct yourself and go about your business that will get you the respect, both with Clients and subcontractors..... remember you have to be able to converse down the supply chain, as well as up.
Letters after name don't get you respect, it's all about how you conduct yourself and go about your business that will get you the respect, both with Clients and subcontractors..... remember you have to be able to converse down the supply chain, as well as up.
vescaegg said:
Who do you mean by clients? A guy at our last place had Chartership 1 year after finishing Uni as he did it as part of his final year. In the real world it did diddly squat for him.
As said, its a boys club. Idiots who wont look at you for a job because you dont have the letters is not somewhere id remotely want to work.
I only know a handful of people professionally who have it. 95% of people I know from trainees to Managing Director level do not have any accreditations.
Clients as in people who pay the fee!As said, its a boys club. Idiots who wont look at you for a job because you dont have the letters is not somewhere id remotely want to work.
I only know a handful of people professionally who have it. 95% of people I know from trainees to Managing Director level do not have any accreditations.
Of course there are exceptions and 1 year PQE plus MRICS doesn't beat 30 years experience and no MRICS.
If you work internationally, then it's almost essential I would say - it's more the Middle Eastern clients who go for the box ticking (7 years PQE plus MRICS - ignoring competence).
More larger firms now are IME expecting people to become chartered (through whatever body) to progress into management roles - the days of a bloke progressing from storeman to CEO with no qualifications are dying/dead.
Mattt said:
vescaegg said:
Who do you mean by clients? A guy at our last place had Chartership 1 year after finishing Uni as he did it as part of his final year. In the real world it did diddly squat for him.
As said, its a boys club. Idiots who wont look at you for a job because you dont have the letters is not somewhere id remotely want to work.
I only know a handful of people professionally who have it. 95% of people I know from trainees to Managing Director level do not have any accreditations.
Clients as in people who pay the fee!As said, its a boys club. Idiots who wont look at you for a job because you dont have the letters is not somewhere id remotely want to work.
I only know a handful of people professionally who have it. 95% of people I know from trainees to Managing Director level do not have any accreditations.
Of course there are exceptions and 1 year PQE plus MRICS doesn't beat 30 years experience and no MRICS.
If you work internationally, then it's almost essential I would say - it's more the Middle Eastern clients who go for the box ticking (7 years PQE plus MRICS - ignoring competence).
More larger firms now are IME expecting people to become chartered (through whatever body) to progress into management roles - the days of a bloke progressing from storeman to CEO with no qualifications are dying/dead.
Im in contracting where is means significantly less!
The relevance of the qualification, I think, depends on what you do. I know a QS who works happily without the letters, but its internal for a big construction firm rather than for external clients. My pathway has been Commercial Property, and for a lot of what I do (which involves valuation) the letters are important. For other colleagues I know, who do agency work, they aren't so important, and some don't have them.
It depends on what benefit you think you will get - eg, if your clients will be large multi-nationals who require letters as a tick in the box to get on the panel, or local firms who respect the experience and standing in the local market over letters.
It depends on what benefit you think you will get - eg, if your clients will be large multi-nationals who require letters as a tick in the box to get on the panel, or local firms who respect the experience and standing in the local market over letters.
PM'd those who offered, thanks.
At this moment in time I am not thinking it will boost my career, however if it helps at some point down the line then that's a bonus. I just want to continue my learning and development and RICS is always something I had looked to do and if my employer is willing to allow me the time to complete it, then why not.
I am also lead to believe that in America that RICS is highly thought of, as they don't have an equivalent?
At this moment in time I am not thinking it will boost my career, however if it helps at some point down the line then that's a bonus. I just want to continue my learning and development and RICS is always something I had looked to do and if my employer is willing to allow me the time to complete it, then why not.
I am also lead to believe that in America that RICS is highly thought of, as they don't have an equivalent?
vescaegg said:
Mattt said:
vescaegg said:
Who do you mean by clients? A guy at our last place had Chartership 1 year after finishing Uni as he did it as part of his final year. In the real world it did diddly squat for him.
As said, its a boys club. Idiots who wont look at you for a job because you dont have the letters is not somewhere id remotely want to work.
I only know a handful of people professionally who have it. 95% of people I know from trainees to Managing Director level do not have any accreditations.
Clients as in people who pay the fee!As said, its a boys club. Idiots who wont look at you for a job because you dont have the letters is not somewhere id remotely want to work.
I only know a handful of people professionally who have it. 95% of people I know from trainees to Managing Director level do not have any accreditations.
Of course there are exceptions and 1 year PQE plus MRICS doesn't beat 30 years experience and no MRICS.
If you work internationally, then it's almost essential I would say - it's more the Middle Eastern clients who go for the box ticking (7 years PQE plus MRICS - ignoring competence).
More larger firms now are IME expecting people to become chartered (through whatever body) to progress into management roles - the days of a bloke progressing from storeman to CEO with no qualifications are dying/dead.
Im in contracting where is means significantly less!
, not done my APC despite graduating in 1998.I've looked at direct access as I've over the required number of years under my belt; no diary, just dissertation, presentation and interview but not having MRICS has never stopped me from winning work so don't see the point.
OP - how much experience do you have?
sleep envy said:
I work on the better side as opposed to you , not done my APC despite graduating in 1998.
I've looked at direct access as I've over the required number of years under my belt; no diary, just dissertation, presentation and interview but not having MRICS has never stopped me from winning work so don't see the point.
OP - how much experience do you have?
Think I'll be going through the Professional Experience route like yourself. I'm sure this is easier than it used to be? I have a non RICS accredited degree and I thought my chances of joining were slim without more significant education. 5 years PQE and a few 2000-3000 essays seems fairly simple to me. , not done my APC despite graduating in 1998.I've looked at direct access as I've over the required number of years under my belt; no diary, just dissertation, presentation and interview but not having MRICS has never stopped me from winning work so don't see the point.
OP - how much experience do you have?
CRB14 said:
I have a non RICS accredited degree and I thought my chances of joining were slim without more significant education.
The RICS are doing everything they can to bolster membership as they need those subs, I'd be surprised if they won't accept you.I bumped into the chief exec of the RICS at a BBQ a while back, he lives opposite another PHer - talk about the hard sell!! He practically made me promise to join.
I still can't see the value in the organisation. OP, don't let my cynicism dissuade you though, it is an achievement all the same.
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