RICS Education & Training Department

November 2009

**IMPORTANT**
PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT FIRST BEFORE COMPLETING THE STA & STP TEMPLATES

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors The Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) Structured Training Agreement (STA) / Programme (STP)

Guidance note.
This guidance note has been compiled to aid and assist the employer, counsellor, supervisor, and candidate in the completion of the STA and STP templates.

STA / STP Template Guidance note 09.02

RICS Education & Training Department

November 2009

1. Getting your Structured Training Agreement approved This is a relatively simple process and generally happens before a candidate can send in their APC application forms: a. Download the STA/STP template and this guidance note. b. Read the guidance note and complete (in its entirety) the STA/STP template to the best of your ability. If you are unsure about any part of the template, please seek guidance from your local RICS Training Advisor (RTA) (See appendix A for contact details). c. Submit the STA/STP to your local RTA for their review, assessment and comment.

d. As part of the STA/STP approval process your local RTA may wish to arrange a meeting with the employer, counsellor, supervisor and candidate to discuss any issues or simply to offer hints, tips or guidance on the latest APC updates. e. Once everything is in place your local RTA will provide their approval in writing and inform the RICS that the employer has an approved STA in place. f. The approved STA and STP is unique to the employer it is approved for. If a candidate moves employer the STA does not travel with them and the new employer must either have an approved STA document in place or approach their local RTA to get one approved as soon as possible.

g. Once the STA is approved the employer will NOT need to resubmit the STA or any of the STP documents to their local RTA again, unless a new pathway is required or the RTA contacts the employer regarding an update to the APC process. It is taken on trust that the employer will abide by the approved document and use the approved STA and STP as a pro forma for each and every future APC candidate. Please note: The employer is required to adhere to the agreement and policies held in the STA. Should the employer choose not to adhere to the STA and after further consultation and guidance from the local RTA the RICS retain the right to remove an STA approval at any time which will culminate in the employer being removed from the approved firms register and no longer be able to train new APC candidates.

STA / STP Template Guidance note 09.02

RICS Education & Training Department

November 2009

2. General comments on the Structured Training Agreement The purpose and status of the STRUCTURED TRAINING AGREEMENT (STA) document is: a. To help the employer, in the efficient development of their APC candidates (trainee surveyors), it is recommended that the employer "identify the breadth and depth of relevant experience needed to fulfil the APC competencies, and plan the candidate's work to achieve this as stated in the Employers Guide. A separate Structured Training Programme must be devised for each candidate, but this does not have to be separately approved by RICS. b. To be an agreement between the employer and RICS, stating the intended policy for implementing RICSs requirements and administration of the APC training process. RICS approval of this document will grant the employer Accredited Employer status. It is up to the employer to update their STA in light of changes to work practices, or changes to the RICS procedures and requirements. RICS may seek evidence of an employers continued compliance with this policy. c. A statement of how the employer intends to implement the requirements of the APC process. It also tells potential candidates (and RICS) what to expect from the employer, and what the employer expect from them, based on the APC Candidates Guide. It is a declaration of intent, and statement of expectation, which should be used as a management tool.

d. An agreement from the employer to comply with the RICS APC training process as detailed in the RICS APC guides and in accordance with the RICS Rules of Conduct. e. To be submitted to the local RICS Training Advisor by the employer (not the candidate) for approval by RICS. It need only be approved once, per employer, per faculty pathway. A Structured Training Programme in respect of individual candidates will take account of current RICS requirements, and the employers expectations for a specific candidate. The STP is signed by the candidate and their counsellor after approval of the STA has been given by the RTA. f. To guide the employer in producing a specific Structured Training Programme (STP) for each candidate, preferably, prior to registration and to confirm that the employer has the will, means and intention of supporting an APC candidate through to final assessment. The employer and candidate should then use the STP as a management tool to ensure that the candidate gets to final interview as soon as possible.

g. A requirement that once the STA and STP has been approved, it is the employers responsibility to ensure that it is implemented effectively and completely. h. To identify that the RICS APC guides and Pathway guides must be used in conjunction with this document. This document does not replace them, and should only include extracts from the pathway guides in section 4 of the STP. i. Advise that any updating of the approved STA or STP or queries on implementing the APC procedures should be sought from the RICS Training Adviser (RTA) who approves the STA and STP documentation. (See STP, Appendix 2 for contact details).

STA / STP Template Guidance note 09.02

RICS Education & Training Department

November 2009

3. Specific comments for completing the STA Document a. Front cover Please complete this in as much detail as possible. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatorily required. If the employer has multiple offices they wish to cover with this STA then they can list the offices on the front cover or create a new Appendix B and list the office Location, address and contact number. The Employers contact will have overall responsibility to ensure the principles and policies contained within the STA are adhered to across all named offices. b. Contents page Page numbering and additional appendices can be added as the document in its final form is completed. Delete Appendix B entry if not used. c. Item 1 & 2 Enter employers name and review statement. Amend as required.

d. Item 3 This section requires the employer to record some detail about their company and structure and list all relevant supervisors and counsellors. e. Item 4- The policies are important part of the STA and the employer needs to make sure they undertake a proper review of this section. The policies agreed can be as specific or flexible as the employer wishes to make them. f. Please delete all red guidance text from the template prior to submitting it to your local RTA

4. General comments on the STP The purpose and status of the STRUCTURED TRAINING PROGRAMME (STP) document is: a. To tell the candidate how the employer is going to support the candidate through their APC training process culminating in a Final Assessment interview. b. That this document should be, wherever possible, completed prior to the candidates APC registration. c. To inform the candidate what work and experience the employer intends to provide and identifies how when the employer expect each competency level to be achieved.

d. To demonstrates where the candidate fits into the employers organisation and who they can turn to for advice and support. The STP also records who are the designated supervisor and counsellor who will be allocating experience and assessing competence.

STA / STP Template Guidance note 09.02

RICS Education & Training Department

November 2009

e. That this document is part of and supported by the approved Structured Training Agreement that exists between the employer and RICS. f. That it is up to the candidate, supervisor and counsellor to acquaint themselves with RICSs latest policies and procedures. Candidates should also be prepared to inform RICS of any changes in their circumstances (i.e. change of address, counsellor / employer etc).

g. To inform the candidate what the employer expects from the candidate. h. To provide a declaration of intent between the employer and candidate and that both parties will agree to comply with the policies and procedures stated in the STA and STP documents. RICS appreciate that the policies and procedures may change from time to time. i. To ensure all parties agree to comply with the RICS APC procedures as detailed in the RICS APC guides, pathway guides and RICS Rules of Conduct. To be used as an effective management tool to ensure that candidates can get to final interview as soon as possible. To identify that the RICS APC guides and Pathway guides must be used in conjunction with this document. This document does not replace them, and should only include extracts from the pathway guides in section 4 of the STP. Advise that implementation of the APC procedures should be sought from the supervisor and counsellor following reference to the APC guides and pathway guides.

j.

k.

l.

Note to employers:RICS (or an RTA) may ask to see this document as evidence of your continued compliance with the APC process and procedures. You are advised to contact your local RTA for advice about the creation of this Structured Training Agreement / Programme and confirmation of RICSs continued approval of your Structured Training procedures.

STA / STP Template Guidance note 09.02

RICS Education & Training Department

November 2009

5. Specific comments for completing the STP Document a. Front cover - Please complete this in as much detail as possible. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatorily required. b. Contents page Page numbering and additional appendices can be added as the document in its final form is completed. c. Item 1 The employer may wish to note the date the STA was approved

d. Item 2 Please delete the APC Route (Graduate route 1 or 2) that the candidate is NOT eligible to take. Key dates etc can be found on the RICS web site. e. Item 3 - Enter candidates name and review statement. Amend as required. The signature at the bottom of this section will be recorded after the STA approval has been given by the RTA and is to signify agreement between the employer and candidate. This does not need to be signed for the purpose of the RTAs review and approval of the STA. f. Item 4 This section is very important and requires the candidate, supervisor and counsellor to review and discuss the candidates declared competencies. Reference to the APC Requirements and Competencies guide and the relevant Pathway guide is imperative. All guides can be downloaded from the RICS web site. Competency definition When completing item 4.1 the relevant entries can be taken from the APC requirements and competencies guide. When completing items 4.2 to 4.4 the relevant entries can be taken from the APC pathway guides. Please note item 4.4 is only relevant for certain pathways. Please delete it if it is not relevant. How this competency will be achieved The employer should consider providing a sentence or two explaining what training and experience they are able to provide the candidate so that the requirements stated in the competency definition can be achieved. This may change in the future due to unforeseen circumstances but for the purpose of the STP the statements should be based upon the employers best intentions. Please ensure that whatever is recorded in item 4 is mirrored in the candidates competency selection in template 3 of the RICS Final Assessment Templates. g. Item 5 This section is for the effective planning of the 3 monthly meetings and competency achievement plan. It is a snap shot in time at the STA approval stage but should be used as an effective management and reporting tool and updated as the candidates training process advances. Please ensure the competencies listed in item 4 are mirrored here.

STA / STP Template Guidance note 09.02

RICS Education & Training Department

November 2009

Appendix A RICS Training Advisors contact details

STA / STP Template Guidance note 09.02