I completed this dissertaion in 2007, thought it might be helful on here. It was written at the time ofthe change from the old system to the new APC system as it is today.
The APC Explained & Examined
An Undergraduate Thesis in partial Fulfilment of the requirements for the Higher Educational and Training Award Council (HETAC) Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Construction Economics Awarded by Limerick Institute of Technology
MARCH 2007
Summary
This Dissertation outlines the history of the SCS’s Assessment of Professional Competence and professional education in the form of CPD & PQSL, for Quantity Surveyors. It progresses onto consider some of the issues currently facing the APC & professional education, with the introduction of the new competency based APC.
The author feels that these along with several others examined within the dissertation are of significant importance due to the “Increasing pressure on professionals & their representative institutes to offer a breath of specialist knowledge and a competent & ethical service to clients and the public within an increasingly demanding & global marketplace.”(Plimmer 2003)
With the introduction of the new competency based APC the author felt that there was more than sufficient information to realise the potential for this dissertation within the research area.
Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 Rationale for the research
The author being an aspiring Chartered Quantity Surveyor, enrolled as a Probationer member of the SCS in 2005. It is from here that he started to gain a significant interest in pursing his Chartership. Having never been made aware of the SCS by his college or his former employers the student QS at the time, was not aware of any professional awarding body. It was not until the Author commenced his employment with John Sisk And Son Ltd that he was actively encouraged to enrol and complete his APC.
From discussions with Chartered Surveyors and Probationers of the Society the author set out to research and analyse the complete process of the APC and the effect if any the introduction of the new competency based APC has had. The author received strong feedback & encouragement from his peers within the industry when he initially decided to pursue this area as a dissertation topic.
At the time of research there were no empirical studies examining the authors chosen topic. This meant that the author was starting from scratch with his studies and research and the topic was completely original to the author.
It was observed that in general there was a lack of knowledge amongst many of the probationers towards the APC format and what exactly was required from them. It is the author’s opinion that fresh research such as this is required to reach the grass roots of the problem by directly pursuing the opinions of employers, students and academic providers about their needs and requirements.
In order to examine these areas the author must first make the reader acutely aware of the background philosophies and key concepts of the APC, as well as an introduction to the various guides & forms of the SCS.
1.2 Aim, Objectives & Hypothesis
1.2.1 Aim
To give the reader an insight into the SCS and the process involved with the APC, to assess the current state of knowledge of the APC amongst employers, member’s students and academics alike, to carry out research through a questionnaire on membership satisfaction within the SCS, and to highlight some of the key areas that need attention. The author also progresses on to carry out a case study in order to highlight the current draw on costs and resources of the new competency based format of the APC. The author also examines if the new format has the potential to make it easier for contractors QS’s to become chartered, and the potential of the small one and two men company’s to provide the adequate resources and training for probationers.
1.2.2 Objectives
To adopt an appropriate research methodology for this dissertation.
To use a case study involving the author to illustrate the costs and resources that needs to be provided by the employer under the new format.
To highlight changes that may need to be made to the APC and CPD.
To investigate the evolution of the APC and its reasons for needing to evolve.
To analyse what the SCS can learn from the RICS.
To assess the practising Quantity Surveyors perceptions towards the current APC, through a questionnaire.
To formulate conclusions and recommendations from this research and identify areas of further research within this topic.
1.2.3 Hypothesis
“The introduction of the new competency based assessment has lead to an increased burden in terms of cost and workload on all the people involved in the APC process with the exception of the SCS”
1.3 Scope of Dissertation
The author will give an overview of the main issues that are involved in the whole APC process from cradle to grave. It is the author’s aspiration to provide as detailed an appraisal as possible in order to allow the readers of this dissertation to get a clear and concise understanding of the issues at hand. The author also hopes that any other aspiring Chartered Quantity Surveyor reading this dissertation will be able to get a good handle on the APC & what is required from them.
In his recommendations and conclusions the author hopes to formulate a list to forward to the SCS in the anticipation that they may provide some of the requests that have been highlighted from the Author’s research and surveys from the members of the SCS.
1.4 Structure of Dissertation
Chapter 1
Introduces the reader to the dissertation, it gives the definition of the APC, and some background to this Dissertation topic. It also gives the aims and objectives of the Dissertation, stating the scope of the dissertation and the structure of each chapter.
Chapter 2
Discusses the methodology used to research and gather information for the dissertation. It details the primary and secondary sources of information, which were used. It gives a literature review of secondary sources of information and identifies the limitations experienced while researching.
Chapter 3
Introduces the history of the SCS and the breakaway from the RICS, it gives the main purpose of the APC and its importance within the industry. It also shows the structure of the SCS and the method of deliverance of the APC.
Chapter 4
This chapter discusses the role of the Supervisor, Counsellor and the employer in the day to day activities and the support and advice they are expected to deliver and the additional burden that has been placed on them since the introduction of the competency based APC.
Chapter 5
The employer and the costs that rest with them to get their students chartered, this chapter uses a case study to highlight the costs of a probationer from commencement to completion.
Chapter 6
This chapter provides an analysis of the results of the questionnaire survey.
Chapter 7
Outlines the author’s conclusions and recommendations drawn from the dissertation and identifies areas of further research within this topic.
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