RICS supports course for surveyors to Build Up their careers for the upturn

RICS is lending its support to a new course which will give Chartered Surveyors an opportunity to up-skill during the recession. Build Up, an innovative new programme at the University of Westminster, is being launched to offer surveyors who are out of work, or under-employed, an opportunity to assess their careers, develop skills and get involved in innovative new collaborations.

The Build Up programme will offer places on three ‘strands’ that will run for a year at the University, beginning next month (August). They will offer networking opportunities and a chance for surveyors to assess their careers.

Topics covered will range from business skills to community engagement, and there will be a focus on issues that can be overlooked in traditional educational or professional environments. Students will also get the opportunity to work on a range of collaborative projects, involving local authorities and not-for-profit organisations that focus on low carbon and sustainable community issues.

Around 1,500 places will be on offer for free to London professionals working in any of seven built environment and related professions. Build Up will enable participants to identify and develop skills in key shortage areas, enabling them to be better prepared to take advantage when the economy picks up.

To assist those undertaking the course further RICS will also be offering free student membership to all participants on the programme. This will entitle them to:

* access to ISurv - the RICS software package which is effectively 'a guide to good practice'.
* RICS matrics - this part of the organisation provides CPD, APC support and social networking opportunities for all RICS members who are qualifying or have up to ten years post-qualification experience. The London RICS matrics group is particularly active
* access to RICS Library - the largest library in the world for built environment professionals.

Commenting RICS President Max Crofts says:

“RICS is fully supportive of the University of Westminster initiative to support the up-skilling and re-employment prospects for members of property, construction and built environment professions who have been made redundant in the current economic downturn. We are more than aware of the difficulties faced by those who have found themselves out of work and we are keen to promote any initiatives that will ensure our qualified members are not lost to the profession.”

source : RICS