An Internal Verifier's perspective on the Professional Development Programme
The Professional Development Programme (PDP) is a great opportunity for recently graduated and/or final-year students setting foot in the construction sector. It is a bespoke route to Chartered Membership for graduates and part-time students who are employed and undertaking a degree qualification in either a construction-related, or non-construction-related, course. The programme is designed to support candidates build essential competencies that will enhance their career prospects.
Whilst on the programme, candidates will gather together a portfolio of work-based evidence to show that they can meet competencies across a range of assessment criteria. There are 12 units to complete which include:
- Managing Health and Safety
- Implementing Sustainable Construction and Development
- Knowledge of Commercial, Contractual and Legal issues
- Commitment to CPD
All candidates will need to have an assessor (either someone within their company or the CIOB have a list of Independent Assessors) who will assess the work they put forward and ensure the candidate gains the experience required to complete the programme. All work is submitted through an online portal, the key advantage of this is that candidates and assessors can track the individual's progress and all assessments can occur remotely.
Once the work-based evidence has been approved by the assessor it is verified by a CIOB-appointed Internal Verifier. We invited one of our Internal Verifiers, Jane Hopwood FCIOB, to provide her perspective on the programme:
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Further details of the PDP can be found on the Professional Development Programme webpage.
Thoughts on the PDP from Internal Verifier Jane Hopwood FCIOB
The PDP is ideally suited to young professionals in the early stages of their career who wish to aim for Chartership whilst gaining experience. Its beauty is that they can tailor the programme to fit their career progression. The template ‘Self-Assessment’, to be completed before starting, is a useful tool for the candidate and the assessor in that both can see the starting point, where the candidate’s ability and experience can be demonstrated and, possibly more importantly, where further experience is needed. This gaining of experience can then be factored in at an early stage and the candidate, through their Self-Assessment, can map a seamless path to Chartership. It also enables the candidate to plan a timescale, which can be (typically) 6 months to 2 years. This is particularly useful where candidates may need to be seconded or need time to gain experience outside their normal roles.
The modules are set out to allow each candidate to demonstrate their experience and knowledge within their field as opposed to a scenario-based question. It is therefore ‘user friendly’ to a wide scope of construction professionals, from site-based staff to Planners, Quantity Surveyors, Building Control Officers etc. For assessors and verifiers, they develop a relationship with the candidate through the PDP journey by being able to visualise clearly, the candidate’s role and their emerging leadership talents. For the candidate, to be able to do the 12 units individually or in small groups gives confidence in their ability.
A young or inexperienced individual is more likely to succeed in gaining Chartership if they can work through methodically as their experience progresses. To be able to write clearly and succinctly to demonstrate their knowledge of a subject, develops good report writing skills and the obligatory addition of relevant evidence to prove their experience, as well as knowledge, gives them the sense of achievement that they have completed one task and encourages embarkation onto the next one.
As a verifier, it is rewarding to be part of the candidate’s journey. To see them working through the units gives a clear picture of their developing role and their emerging leadership talents. For the candidate, it provides goals to aim for and an impetus to succeed. The programme encourages a culture of learning, both for the candidate’s professional development and for them to share knowledge and encourage the development of others. The CIOB’s Standards and Codes are frequently referred to, which encourage ethical behaviour and a professional ethos, very important in emerging leaders. Each unit encourages high standards of quality and professionalism and candidates gaining Chartership through the PDP are the professionals that will be a credit to the CIOB.
Further details of the PDP can be found on the Professional Development Programme webpage or by contacting us at [email protected].