Introduction to an international standard qualification- RICS
RICS? What is RICS? Who is RICS? Also, why choose them? While deciding on education, career and future settlements in the construction industry, there are plenty of searches done to find the right choice. Also, being among the recognised qualification, RICS is commonly searched by graduate students and professionals all around the world. RICS, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in London is an international awarding body recognised by the public and the professionals in the construction industry across the globe. RICS established itself in London, United Kingdom. It is an institute providing recognised qualifications for land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. Anyone who wishes to enter the industry will possess many benefits through the RICS.
The RICS has a record of over 130,000 accredited qualified and trained professionals all around the world. With trained professionals in 150 countries and the majority being in the United Kingdom. With regional offices in the UK and across Europe, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, North America and Brazil. The improvement in the construction industry through the RICS is something that will bring an impact in the future. The reputation and the collaborations the RICS maintains has increased the demand for its qualification among professionals in the industry. International organisations with professional standards such as the United Nations, World Bank and the European union collaborate with the RICS. The RICS was also an IPMS (International Property Measurement Standard) founder member. To be a part of such an accredited awarding body, there are levels and assessments professionals should go through. There are four routes to enter the RICS qualifications:
· Academic
· Graduate
· Technical
· Senior professionals
Each has its pathways regarding the sectors. The RICS accredits qualifications into a group of three:
· Property professionals (For example, Commercial Property, Dispute Resolution, Valuation, Residential Property)
· Land professionals (Environment, planning and development)
· Built Environment professionals (Building Control/ surveying, Project management, Quantity Surveying and construction)
Benefits of being a part of the RICS
1. Developing expertise in the field
2. Global recognition and access to a professional network
3. Skill enhancement
4. Creating professionalism with a reputation on the qualifications
5. Higher professional and ethical standards
6. Opportunity to keep up with the updates in the industry, introduction to the latest technology and everything.
7. An opportunity to give back to the industry with skilled knowledge in counselling services
One of the many best features about the RICS qualifications is the code of conduct and the ethical standards followed by their members. These ethical standards are emphasised to display the quality of the skill and services provided to the industry as well as improving the rules of the construction industry workplace. The ethical standards are listed as follows;
o Every member should maintain Integrity while conducting a construction job
o Every member should provide a high standard of services to the construction industry maintaining the quality of the service.
o Every member should ensure and focus on promoting trust in the profession while providing a service in the industry.
o Every member should learn and understand to respecting others in the industries and maintain professionalism.
o Every member should be willing and encouraged to Carry responsibilities that are related to the profession and conducting it professionally.
The RICS ensures that the industry is led with professionalism and sets requirements before establishing an individual as a part of the institute. So if a candidate wishes to become a part of the RICS and gain acknowledgement through an international network in the construction industry, they should fulfil the requirements. Professionals who are accredited by the RICS go by the designation of
· AssocRICS – an associate
· MRICS – a member
· FRICS – a fellow
MRICS (members) and FRICS (Fellows) are also known and recognised as ‘’Chartered Surveyors.’’ In the construction industry.
The qualification of the RICS does not end after being designated as a member or fellow in the institution. The opportunities of advancements keep continuing through learning developments. The RICS requires members to keep enhancing their skills and update their knowledge through Continuous Professional Development (CPD). The CPD courses add value to the professional's qualifications and update the knowledge with experiences. By doing so, the industry maintains the standard of professional improvement and the quality of the work process in the construction site. The RICS encourage professionals to access CPD courses through online means so that there will be a worldwide accessible for reaching out to graduate students and professionals to take a step into development.
Why is RICS demanded in the industry?
There are two main reasons why the industry demands the RICS qualifications. 1. the ethical conduct and 2. the professionalism displayed. Businesses all around the world recognise the qualifications accredited by the RICS. The recognition has increased the demand for professionals who possess the skill. There are many reasons why a company in the construction industry will want to recruit an RICS qualified individual. Some of which are:
· Professionalism at the workplace
For instance, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with the skills and knowledge will display a sense of professionality while conducting work in the construction site. A candidate without the expertise and capabilities offered by the RICS courses will be inactive in providing the quality and management skills that are necessary for the construction site. Management skills and the experience recognised by the RICS will improve the quality of the company reputation.
· Productivity
With the professional conduct displayed by an associate trainee quantity surveyor or MRICS, the productivity of the company will also increase.
· Cost-effective
Companies hiring professionals who are skilled in the construction field can maintain a cost-effective management system. It is because of the skills possessed by the expert, which can boost profits in the projects.
· Standard of quality
Companies in the construction industry are looking for an opportunity to develop their reputation and rank among the top companies in the world. To achieve that objective, the companies prefer hiring professionals who possess the qualifications accredited by the RICS. By doing so, the construction company sets a standard in their employment preferences and puts the effort in maintaining a quality service.
· Profits to the company
When companies recruit professionals to conduct construction projects, clients, contractors and developers in the industry will have confidence in investing in the construction services provided by the company. In return, it will increase the profits of the company.
There is another reason why the RICS qualified candidates are becoming a demand in the industry is due to the common construction problem of a skilled labour shortage. The shortage in labour has been continuously affecting the construction companies and the development of the construction industry. Qualifications such as the RICS are encouraged to obtain so that the construction industry will provide services to the economy, which are enriching with quality and ethical standards.
The RICS qualifications can be accessed globally
The RICS links to many Universities and colleges to whom they have approved the accredited courses to satisfy qualification requirements. Through online means and colleges and universities all around the world, the RICS provides the opportunity to set a professional career with the institution. Many colleges offer accredited qualification courses to students and professionals in a global range. One of the Colleges providing online courses that are recognised by the RICS is the College of Contract Management.
The College of Contract Management
Situated in the United Kingdom, the College of Contract Management (CCM UK) an online college offers many courses on different subjects in the industry. The classes are accessible globally through live-online lectures. The CCM UK provides the RICS final step to qualify as MRICS – the APC (Assessment of Professional Competence) coaching service. They also offer CPD courses which can further add to the development of the individual. A trainee quantity surveyor developing the career path to becoming a chartered surveyor can enrol to this course and find the opportunity to qualify in becoming an MRICS. The trainee quantity surveyor can refer to the RICS ‘’how to become chartered guidelines’’ and follow the simple steps to grow in the career.
Why APC?
APC (Assessment of professional competence) is the final stage of becoming an MRICS. The RICS membership requires associates and members to complete the final assessment to receive expert status in the industry. The evaluation helps develop your skills and expands the experience in the work field to become a professional chartered surveyor. By following through APC coaching service (CCM UK), the individual can proceed in gaining other opportunities.
Why choose online distance learning colleges?
Qualified RICS individuals commonly follow an online course to complete the membership requirements demanded by the RICS. Online courses through distance learning colleges are more convenient to access and complete. RICS is a combination of both practical and theoretical practices. Through accessing education from online courses provided by distance learning colleges, the candidate can achieve the qualification and work in the construction field to develop the skills. It will prove to be an advantage in the development of an individual’s career. Online colleges such as the College of Contract Management offers first-class experiences to their students with professional lecturers conducting the classes. While providing their APC coaching services to professionals, they assign an online counsellor to guide the professional throughout the course. With such benefits and professionalism displayed on online coaching classes, candidates can find it relieving to approach the course through online means.
The advantages of completing the RICS qualifications through online college
· Professional teaching from lecturers
· Accessible anywhere around the world. Candidates can study the classes according to their convenience and view the course content anytime.
· Students and professionals can schedule classes and complete the course in their own time
· It is lower costs to complete courses through online colleges compared to going to universities and other institutes.
· There is no travel cost involved for completing the training for the lessons the candidate can earn credits through real work experience in the construction field.
· Accredited approved courses by the RICS and assessment of professional competency coaching services completed through online colleges can help the candidate achieve the chartered membership standards.
Opportunities after becoming a Chartered Surveyor
Quantity surveyors are expected to train and obtain a professional qualification before getting a job in the industry when a quantity surveyor establishes his knowledge by achieving the chartered surveyor standards then it will bring fruitfulness towards his future career options. When a chartered surveyor introduces himself to the construction industry, the opportunities for jobs will flow directly to the professional. A chartered Surveyor profession places importance in any construction business. Due to that, many opportunities will follow a chartered surveyor’s path.
o Top construction companies will request the professional to work with them
o A chance to work anywhere around the globe in any construction department
o Higher paid job offers with a reputation
o The industry specialism is in a broad range to choose a career that will satisfy the professional
o A member in the RICS board
o With the higher ethical standards demonstrated in the industry, the professional will receive respect along with a reputed title of being a chartered surveyor.