Welcome to the first instalment of our four-part blog series, where we proudly introduce you to Paul Owens, our now Senior Project Manager, who successfully completed the rigorous Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). In this blog series we aim shine the spotlight on Paul, his journey to the APC qualification, why he decided to take on this mammoth endeavour and how this outstanding employee exemplifies the D+S ethos of dedication, expertise, and a commitment to excellence.
The RICS APC, a cornerstone in the journey to becoming a chartered surveyor, is not for the faint-hearted. It demands a significant investment of time and resources. Both candidates and their D+S mentors must fully commit to the process.
Senior members of staff – including Fraser, David, Craig, William, Simon and Jordan – were designated as Paul’s mentors, guiding him through the challenges and triumphs that define the APC. Fraser took the lead as his APC mentor throughout and explains, “Since making the move from architecture, Paul’s relentless pursuit of professional growth and his willingness to embrace the demands of the journey reflected his readiness to take on the APC journey. With the strong support network of mentors behind him, I had no doubt he would embrace the challenge and emerge stronger from this transformative experience.”
At its core, the APC is a comprehensive evaluation ensuring candidates meet the exacting standards of professionalism essential for the chartered surveyor title. In Paul’s own words, “a world-renowned qualification”.
The assessment covers a diverse range of competencies, including technical and professional practice, interpersonal skills, and proficiency in business and management. Successful completion results in the coveted MRICS qualification, a testament to the candidate’s expertise and adherence to the highest professional standards.
Paul’s journey began with a meticulous compilation of his experiences, both mandatory and technical competencies, in the form of a detailed Summary of Experience. Paul’s competencies covered all mandatory and core Project Management competencies, plus two optional ones which were contract administration and works progress & quality management.
This document served as a comprehensive record of his growth and proficiency in the field. In addition to this, Paul undertook the challenge of presenting a detailed Case Study, a deep dive into a project where he played a pivotal role. This was not merely a recounting of events; it was an opportunity for Paul to showcase his problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and the practical application of his knowledge.
The submission underwent a Preliminary Review, a crucial checkpoint to ensure adherence to the stringent criteria set by RICS. Once authorised, Paul progressed to the Final Assessment Process. This stage required him to deliver a comprehensive presentation on his submitted Case Study and share insights into his Continuing Professional Development (CPD) experiences. The Panel, armed with a profound understanding of Paul’s professional journey, then subjected him to a thorough questioning session.
Paul’s success in navigating this challenging process reflects not only his individual commitment but also the support and mentorship provided by Doig + Smith. As an employer invested in the professional development of its team, D+S takes pride in fostering an environment where excellence is not just encouraged but expected.
As a result of Paul’s commitment to excellence and his gaining the APC qualification, we were delighted to promote Paul to the position of Senior Project Manager at the end of 2023 and we look forward to seeing his professional growth and continued success in the position. Paul said, “I knew it would be intense and it was, but the process has without doubt widened my perspective within PM and the fact it resulted in a D+S promotion was the icing on the cake. I can’t imagine going through the process with a better team of mentors so am extremely grateful to everyone involved.”
In the coming blogs in this short series, we’ll delve into this academic journey, shedding light on the diverse experiences that make our team truly exceptional. Stay tuned as we celebrate this fantastic accomplishment, and the expertise of all those in D+S involved who played a part in supporting Paul to achieve this prestigious MRICS qualification – a designation that will enrich our firm and the industry as a whole.