Some 60 surveyors in the South West are celebrating achieving Chartered Membership of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). All have successfully completed their Assessment of Professional Competence, a two to three year period of structured training leading to Chartered status.
Surveyors train in specific areas of their profession, with the most popular nationally being Commercial, followed by Quantity Surveying and then Building Surveying. In the South West the highest number of qualifications (21) was in Building Surveying, closely followed by Commercial (16). 14 of those qualifying were women, reflecting the growing number pursuing careers in surveying and the construction sector.
The diverse nature of the surveying profession allows professionals to seek qualification in one or more of 17 disciplines ranging from arts and antiques; machinery and business assets; property finance and investment; through to taxation allowances and valuation.
Says Matthew McKaig, Operations Director RICS West: “These new professionals have passed the most challenging of assessments to become chartered surveyors, many of them having already completed a property-related degree.
“They can now carry the letters MRICS after their name, which is the world’s leading qualification when it comes to land, property and construction. This is maintained by RICS which, under the Royal Charter it was granted in 1881, acts in the public interest, setting and regulating the highest standards of competence and integrity amongst its members.
“It also means they can take the next step in a career that can offer variety, prestige and a good salary – almost anywhere in the world. It’s especially gratifying to see so many surveyors undertaking the APC and passing the exams in the recession.”
Just over 1100 hopefuls were entered for the most recent RICS APC across the UK, with 760 being successful.
