Value and meaning
George Taliana MCInstCES, Managing Surveyor, GVE Commercial Solutions
WORKING as a consultant quantity surveyor for over a decade has consistently posed two questions throughout my career:
- Why do I want to be member of a professional body in the future?
- What does it really mean to hold a professional membership?
This article provides an insight into these questions and the process to acquire a professional membership.
Why I chose to become part of a professional institution
My experience resides predominantly in the civils sector of the industry, having worked on large infrastructure projects, such as London Gateway, Crossrail, Tideway, and Southern Water (AMP6 & AMP7) frameworks over the last 11 years. For me, becoming a member of a chartered institution has always been a personal ambition. To become recognised for upholding and practising a level of competence when working with other professionals from different backgrounds and trades, as well as developing and contributing to best practice within the construction industry is of huge value.
There are several chartered institutions and grades that are applicable to the sector. However, the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors and the MCInstCES grade is the most relevant membership to my career and industry experience.
The application process varies depending on the chartered institution and their requirements to meet a specific grade, however, this can comprise of:
- Daily experience diaries (of up to two years).
- Continued professional development (CPD) log and plan.
- Detailed CV.
- Experience report (based on recent project experience).
- Signed off competencies.
- Interview.
Overcoming the challenges
The route to gaining a professional membership is not without its barriers though. Finding the time to prepare for and undertake the application process was the most significant challenge due to busy work schedules and competing work commitments. As a consultant, the reputation of my employer and requirements as a professional are my priority. I strive to make a positive difference not only for my clients, but for the ongoing development and future of the construction industry. Within my professional role, my focus is fully committed to delivering my client’s project needs.
Like many professionals, I am balancing my career development with a busy personal life. To achieve my goal of attaining professional membership, I must make the time.
Developing competencies through project experience
Working with construction professionals over the last decade across multiple and varying projects has given me a strong foundation for many of the competencies the CICES and other chartered institutions stand for, particularly my project experience as part of the team at the Thames Tideway Tunnel (Tideway).
For me, becoming a member of a chartered institution has always been a personal ambition. To become recognised for upholding and practising a level of competence when working with other professionals from different backgrounds and trades, as well as developing and contributing to best practice within the construction industry is of huge value.My assignment at Tideway gave me the core foundation of competencies, principles and ethics, which CICES stands for. Specifically, understanding dispute avoidance and negotiations between different parties, or the comprehensive cost reporting process; involving the reviewing of budget draw through programme progress, reporting accurate financial liability and impact on the project’s financial position – all enhancing the understanding of commercial competencies CICES strives its professional members to acquire.
Developing competencies on the project such as collaboration and working as a team to overcome complex obstacles for various technical and commercial matters provided the opportunity to improve my skillset, while developing other professionals, both teaching and sharing knowledge, skills and experience to successfully deliver the project as a team.
In relation to attaining areas of core competencies; Tideway’s ‘legacy plan’ provides incredible commitments for environment, health safety and wellbeing, economy, people and place, and monitors how each of the 54 measurable commitments are being achieved. This was a valuable experience allowing me to understand how the project leads by example to set the standard in the construction industry.
The application process
My experience over the last decade bypasses the requirement for some of the aforementioned. For example, daily experience diaries and has allowed me to focus on continued professional development in areas, such as contractual knowledge of NEC3 and NEC4 to support day-to-day responsibilities, as well as identifying knowledge gaps and the need to upskill in certain areas like BIM, for instance.
The detailed CV element of the application process is a good tool to reflect on what different experiences, responsibilities and challenges have been encountered throughout career development, aiding further understanding of the competencies gained on previous projects.
Receiving unbiased criticism and assessment from the supervisor you are given, regarding the competencies, is vital not only for this process, but for self-development. This evaluation was essential to acknowledge and understand the various competencies, recognising strengths and highlighting improvement areas. Finally, my project and industry exposure working on Tideway gave me the basis to write an experience report and subsequently prepare the presentation at interview stage; combining experience and competence.
Once the application is submitted and accepted, the interview itself is the final stage of the process. The interview was in a relaxed environment, involving a presentation based on the experience report and an examination by CICES panel members. The process aims to validate your understanding of your role in the industry, the importance of what the institution stands for and demonstrating how you will lead by example to inspire up and coming industry professionals.
What it means to hold a professional membership
So, now that I am a member of a chartered institution, how will this change my career?
My professional and project experience over the last decade, particularly working on Tideway provided me with the answer to my second question; what it really means to hold a professional membership. In particular, a real appreciation of the importance of promoting best practice and continued self-awareness of professionalism, codes of conduct and ethics, all of which CICES and other chartered institutions stand for. I discovered how I can contribute to the construction industry and lead by example, giving peers the confidence to make a difference in the industry and making it the best it can be.
On reflection of these thoughts, I hope my experience provides others with the answers to the questions I once had about joining and being a part of a professional body. There is no time limit when choosing to become a member of a chartered institution and I am pleased I made the time to achieve my goal.
George Taliana MCInstCES, Managing Surveyor, GVE Commercial Solutions