BUILT ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL

The final APC assessment

One trainee prepares for the final stage of his APC training

Author:

Jake Green

22 October 2020

My application has been approved by my counsellor and submitted; now all that is left for me to do is prepare for the upcoming interview in November. Due to the pandemic, the interview process will now be carried out via Microsoft Teams instead of the usual face-to-face experience. The final few weeks of my training will therefore differ from the original plan, with my mock interviews being conducted virtually.

While preparing my submission, it was important to ensure I covered all aspects of the project that I used for my case study, including the relevant information in my summary of experience. Although I completed these independently, I knew it would be foolish not to use the experience of my work colleagues at Assent Building Control. Once I felt my case study was at an appropriate level, I requested that it be reviewed by several different co-workers in addition to my mentor and counsellor. Not only did this ensure that there were no errors in my work, but it also gave me confidence going into the interview preparation that my case study had been approved by multiple chartered surveyors.

Gaps in training

For the summary of experience, we adopted a different approach. By using my diary as a reference, I was able to document how I had met the various competencies. Throughout my APC, my mentor and I used this logbook to identify gaps in my training. This ensured that we were both confident in my submission, knowing that I had met all the required competencies. Another key checkpoint for me was the mock submission that formed part of my final year at Sheffield Hallam University. This assessment provided me with further analysis of both my case study and summary of experience, highlighting some areas of weakness at the time which I have since been able to address.

Clearly the interview process is a vital aspect of the APC. I feel that knowing and understanding the format is essential and will enable me to feel as comfortable and as confident as possible. To ensure this is the case, my mentor has arranged for several mock interviews to take place that follow the final assessment format. We agreed that although we have several chartered members of staff, it will be beneficial to also include external surveyors in these mock interviews. By doing this I will be assessed by individuals who do not already know me and my competency levels. This will be more akin to the final assessment as the mock panel may question me on different areas than my colleagues.

"By using my diary as a source of reference I was able to document how I had met the various competencies”

Support

Throughout my APC training I have received help from many different colleagues and fellow surveyors. I have been amazed by the support I have been given and the extra time people have spent with me. The members of staff at Assent have assisted me greatly in my training, ensuring that I have always been on the right path and offered me guidance on any issues I may have had. My time in this industry has been spent solely with Assent, and I am very thankful to them for the opportunities they have given me.

The APC training programme that was devised by my mentor has ensured I received exposure in the areas that both Assent Building Control and RICS believe to be key in forming well-rounded chartered building control surveyors. The training that I have received has allowed me to develop both my confidence and technical ability. It is my belief that all building control surveyors should be required to go through the APC process. This will provide consistency within the profession and improve standards within our sector.