Top 3 Qualifications to Help Advance Your Career in Quantity Surveying
A quantity surveyor plays a crucial role in any building project - focusing on the project's costs from the planning and design stage through to construction and completion. The quantity surveying role is varied, demanding and constantly challenging - and involves strict legal regulations. To find the best possible personnel to fill quantity surveying roles, construction employers will use a variety of industry qualifications to help them make appointments.
As a quantity surveyor, you will be expected to train for and attain these professional qualifications before applying for industry jobs. Given the variety of accreditation bodies within the construction industry, understanding which qualifications are most valuable can be daunting. Read our guide to the top quantity surveying qualifications - to find out how to give your construction career a boost.
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
As one of the world's leading qualification bodies for land, construction and related environmental issues, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has a hand in setting, maintaining and regulating professional standards at an international level. The institution regularly advises businesses and governments in industry matters so members of the RICS are expected to provide a high standard of service, advice and integrity in whichever part of the world they operate.
RICS Qualification - Degree and APC: All quantity surveyors need to hold a degree which has been accredited by the RICS - and the institution provides a list of universities which offer authorised courses. Membership of the RICS can be achieved through post-graduate study - available on a part-time basis for students who are already working.
After graduation, surveyors work towards chartered status with the RICS. This involves the completion of the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) - a qualification which requires 2 years of professional work experience and an assessed interview.
- Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
The Chartered Institute of Building is an internationally-recognised organisation specialising in management and leadership in construction. The institute boasts a Royal Charter, granted in 1980, to benefit society by promoting the science and practice of building. The institute has over 45,000 members worldwide, working in over 100 countries. In addition to its professional reputation, the CIOB also contributes to research and development within the construction industry.
CIOB Qualification - MCIOB: The CIOB accredits a range of university and training courses and its qualifications indicate a high level of professionalism and competence. Full chartered members of the CIOB must complete a MCIOB structured programme which combines practical and theoretical aspects of study followed by examination. To become a member of the CIOB, members should also have several years of professional experience in construction.
- Association of Cost Engineers (ACostE)
The Association of Cost Engineers focuses on construction industry professionals with responsibility for planning, predicting and controlling project resources and costs. Broadly, the ACostE promotes the practice of cost engineering within various construction disciplines and works to develop recognised standards of professionalism and accreditation across the industry.
Qualification - MACostE: Quantity surveyors may become members of the ACostE if they fulfil certain eligibility criteria. Candidates for membership must be at least 26 years old and have academic and practical experience in Cost Engineering - holding a degree or NVQ in a relevant subject. Having demonstrated their competence and experience, ACostE members enjoy international recognition, employment and networking opportunities - and access to valuable industry resources.
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