Education, training and mentorship in pursuit of maturity in quantity surveying

Abstract

The aim of this article is to determine whether professional quantity surveying firms are ready to meet the challenges facing them in respect of their responsibility towards the changing professional environment in terms of standards, education, professional development and training. Analysing the maturity of firms may assist the quantity surveying profession to establish its position and strategies. Results on project management maturity in South Africa, based on a research project conducted by the University of the Free State, in conjunction with the Wirtschafts Universität in Vienna in 2006 forms the basis of the article as well as the development of an education, training, mentorship and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) model to promote quantity surveying professional maturity. Training in the quantity surveying profession in pursuit of maturity and excellence should focus on core functions of the quantity surveyor; competence required for registration; the expected services or outcomes that the profession believes it should be able to offer the market, and narrowing the gap between academic and experiential learning components by encouraging professionals to enhance their skills through CPD. Generating standards, following the accreditation policy of the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP) and research facilitation were found to be important aspects for education in the quantity surveying profession in pursuit of maturity and excellence. A structured mentorship programme that addresses proactive development towards maturity should be introduced for the profession. The Education, Training, Mentorship and CPD model to achieve quantity surveying professional maturity, developed by one of the authors, may assist in bridging the gap between the providers of formal education and the providers of quantity surveying service to clients towards professional maturity.