Discussion paper: National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners

Having been in the industry for over 30 years, here and overseas, competent oversight of professional institutions including Universities and other educational institutions is required to ensure consistency in education and training.
Also some overseas institutions such as the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) should be recognized as these institutions often include more stringent qualifications than local institutions. For instance as Project Managers, the RICS require a degree equivalent, evidence of two years post degree training signed by an appropriately qualified RICS member, a dissertation followed by a three day practical exam and presentation to a panel of senior practitioners. Also note in the Building Surveying Division within the RICS many Building Surveyors complete the degree or equivalent in Building Surveying in the UK and then seek to gain Chartered status as it is recognised as being a higher level (post graduate) academic and vocational qualification.

For technical specialisms I welcome continuous improvement in technical excellence including education and training. I currently lead a team of 80 civil and geotechnical engineers in Melbourne.
I have been a Project Manager for 30 years and have led a team of 70+ project managers delivering some of Australia's largest infrastructure. In my experience; backed up by research by the Property Council, some of the best project managers are not technically qualified, rather they have the social and emotional intelligence to be leaders and create the environment for success. I myself am a Chartered Surveyor within the Project Management division yet recognise being qualified is not necessarily being a leader with the attitude and aptitude to engage and then empower the technical team to deliver. Often project fails because the Project Manager has not set up and maintained the environment for success. This is not an academic skill, rather intelligence backed up with solid training.

Agree with the registration levels.

Agree with the definitions provided for levels 1 and 2.

There are many different type of Project Managers, some can play in some roles and not others. My team included Construction Project Managers, Client Side Project Managers, Program Managers and Multidisciplinary Project Managers. All are subtly different and require different skills and temperament. An excellent PM in one field maybe not suited to another.

I originally qualified as a Chartered Surveyor Building Surveying Division. I came to Australia as a skilled migrant 19 years ago. My qualification as a Chartered Surveyor was recognised as a professional tertiary qualified Project Manager granting me entry into Australia as a Permanent Resident through the stringent visa system. My education and training was scrutinised in detail. I have led a team of 70 project managers working on projects in the low millions to $5bn+.
Please recognise overseas qualifications including those belonging to the divisions of Building Surveying, Quantity Surveying and Construction Management; many of whom work on very large infrastructure around the World. In todays environment many of our large pieces of infrastructure are being delivered by some of the top global companies and individuals who may not necessarily have qualifications from a local institution.
Also as previously mentioned, conduct a review of various institutions to ensure consistency. Some institutions have a lower level of standards than others.

In my experience someone can have 20 years experience...or 1 years experience repeated 20 times. Experience can only be determined through interview and assessment with the appropriate institution.

The profession; particularly client side project managers, does need a shake up. There are quite a few who have failed elsewhere and decided to become a project manager. The industry needs to go through some behavioural changes starting with the project manager if it is to move away from adversary and towards quality and technical excellence. It is the PMs role to educate the client to ensure better outcomes.

My comments have been written quickly over the space of 20 minutes without detailed research and consideration. However they are written by someone with broad experience across industry having particularly worked on large complex projects for state and federal government, energy, education and commercial sectors. I applaud the ABCB's drive to improve Best Practice in our Industry.

The ‘Chartered Surveyor’ qualification (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor) is recognised as the equivalent to a variety of national qualifications in the EU (see directive 2005/36/EC) thus allowing Chartered Surveyors to move between national borders but remain professionally qualified. As a Chartered Surveyor this qualification was recognised in obtaining a skilled migrant visa and subsequently gaining employment. Clients also recognise the qualification when being awarded roles on large infrastructure projects.

There are many senior charted surveyors leading teams and running businesses in our Australian industry within the Project Management, Building Surveying and Quantity Surveying Divisions. This international qualification should be recognised in the ABCB's drive to register building practitioners.