University College of Estate Management Collaborates with Chartered Surveyors Training Trust on Trailblazer Apprenticeship Programmes

Posted on: 16 March, 2016

Reading, United Kingdom, 16 March 2016

University College of Estate Management (UCEM) – leading provider of supported online learning for Built Environment professionals – today announced its collaboration with Chartered Surveyors Training Trust (CSTT) to develop and deliver Surveying Technician and Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship programmes.

CSTT is an educational charity, which provides life-changing opportunities for young people aged between 16 and 24 to become Charted Surveyors – regardless of their social or financial circumstances. UCEM’s programmes are taught by academics that are leading practitioners in their field, and are designed to meet the growing global demand from employers and students for high-quality, affordable and flexible learning.

Level 3 Surveying Technician apprentices undertake a new six module Diploma in Surveying over a two-year period. There are specialist elective modules in the second year that provide Real Estate, Quantity Surveying and Building Surveying pathway options. The taught programme is delivered through a combination of online activities – hosted on UCEM’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) – and monthly full-day workshop sessions; which create opportunities to apply learning and to engage creatively in the subject matter. Assessment is through computer marked assignments and portfolios of evidence.

Level 6 Chartered Surveyor apprentices complete one of the following UCEM degrees as part of their apprenticeship: BSc (Hons) Building Surveying, BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying or BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management – all of which are accredited by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The four-year apprenticeship includes the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), which enables apprentices who successfully complete their apprenticeship to achieve chartered membership of RICS – enabling them to use the MRICS designation.

Commenting on the collaboration, Richard Carter, Chairman of CSTT, said, “We are delighted to be working with UCEM to develop and deliver a series of academic programmes to support our surveying apprenticeships. UCEM shares a very similar outlook to us – nurturing today’s younger generation and delivering talent to the Built Environment – and I look forward to collaborating with them to provide even more young people with life-changing opportunities.”

Ashley Wheaton, Principal at UCEM, said: “We are thrilled to be joining forces with CSTT, in encouraging and supporting today’s young people to consider a career in the Built Environment. First and foremost, we are looking forward to supporting individuals on their path to a brighter future and helping them to secure a profession for life. We are also very excited about the prospect of long term collaboration with CSTT in the future and will be exploring innovative ways of widening participation and increasing diversity in the sector.”

Over 130 apprentices have already started on the new programmes and at least 170 more are expected to start in 2016. There is likely to be even further demand once the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy starts in April 2017. For more information on the programmes please take a look at Trailblazer Apprenticeships.

About CSTT

The Chartered Surveyors Training Trust has been creating opportunities for young people to start a career in surveying for over 25 years. It was established in 1984 by the Surveyors’ Livery Company, the Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors and became an independent charity in 1987; although retains very close links with its founders.

It aims to provide life-changing opportunities for young people aged between 16 and 24 to become qualified surveyors regardless of their academic, social or financial circumstances. It supports young people from deprived areas or who face personal disadvantage to gain employment as surveyors; provides fully funded and supported apprenticeship programmes leading to Associate membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; and provides supported progression opportunities to qualification as a Chartered Surveyor.