The Association of Cost Engineers THE ASSOCIATION OF COST ENGINEERS 3 rd November 2009 Cost Engineers A Tiered Approach to Accreditation

The Association of Cost Engineers 2 Objectives of the Association Include: To promote Cost Engineering as a recognised discipline of engineering technology To provide means of developing, exchanging and disseminating standards, methods and data relating to Cost Engineering To provide recognised standards of attainment in the practice of Cost Engineering To set up and maintain proper standards of professional conduct and ethics of its members in the practices of Cost Engineering To co-operate with other bodies in the UK and elsewhere having objects cognate with those of the Association and to liaise with similar bodies for the purpose of the reciprocal exchange of information

The Association of Cost Engineers 3 Certified Cost Engineer (CCE) Existing Certified Cost Engineer Internationally recognised qualification that confirms the holder to be an experienced cost engineer, actively engaged in the practice of cost engineering or its supervision International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC) regulated Existing Route to Certification: –Appropriate Academic Qualifications plus –4 Years Relevant Professional Experience –Practice Paper –Summary of Experience –Interview

The Association of Cost Engineers 4 Certified Cost Engineer (CCE) But now there is an alternative … People like to be able to see and demonstrate learning progression. (This is supported by Academic Research) Universities accept GCE results from other matriculation boards, not just their own. Other professional organisations and bodies accept equivalent qualifications also The ACostE objective of co-operation with similar bodies suggests an acknowledgement of their ability to recognise competence in cost engineering Some corporate organisations have certification schemes already

The Association of Cost Engineers 5 Enhancing our Qualification with a Tiered Approach to Accreditation Trainee Cost Engineer (Level 2) Certified Cost Engineer (CCE) Trainee Cost Engineer (Level 1) Registered Cost Engineer (RCE) Enrolled Cost Engineer Demonstrable Competency People like to be able to see and demonstrate learning progression … Unitised competencies that build on the previous level General professional competencies as well as cost engineering technical skills Progression achieved by demonstration of appropriate academic, professional and applied knowledge and skills

The Association of Cost Engineers 6 Already have a qualification? Trainee Cost Engineer (Level 2) Certified Cost Engineer (CCE) Trainee Cost Engineer (Level 1) Registered Cost Engineer (RCE) Enrolled Cost Engineer Demonstrable Competency Some professional and academic bodies accept equivalent qualifications awarded by other organisations … It should be possible to grant credits to the acceptance criteria, where equivalency can be demonstrated from either related Academic qualifications or assessed Employer-based Career Development Programmes.

The Association of Cost Engineers 7 Already have a qualification? Trainee Cost Engineer (Level 2) Certified Cost Engineer (CCE) Trainee Cost Engineer (Level 1) Registered Cost Engineer (RCE) Enrolled Cost Engineer Demonstrable Competency NVQ Level 3 NVQ Level 3 NVQ Level 2 NVQ Level 2 NVQ Level 4 NVQ Level 4 National Occupational Standards in Project Control Some professional and academic bodies accept equivalent qualifications awarded by other organisations … Example:

The Association of Cost Engineers 8 What progress has been made? In order to maximise the appeal of the ACostE’s tiered approach to accreditation to multiple industries, the framework needs to be underpinned by measurable Occupational Standards The existing National Occupational Standards in Project Control were identified as the natural platform from which to start, but that there were ‘gaps’, especially in the relation to estimating and cost engineering from an Engineering and Manufacturing perspective Proposed amendments to these standards, and the creation of potential new standards have been developed progressively during the year by the small ACostE EMC team established to work with BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce Trainee Cost Engineer (Level 2) Certified Cost Engineer (CCE) Trainee Cost Engineer (Level 1) Registered Cost Engineer (RCE) Enrolled Cost Engineer Demonstrable Competency

The Association of Cost Engineers 9 What progress has been made? As part of the wider review of the whole Qualification Framework within the UK, the ECITB have a mandate to widen the relevance of the National Occupational Standards in Project Control to other industries Through ProVoc, the changes to Project Controls proposed by the EMC were submitted to the ECITB as part of that wider industry review The proposed outcome is a revised set of National Occupational Standards for Estimating, Planning & Cost Engineering (Project Control) which meets the needs of both Engineering Construction and Engineering & Manufacturing sectors New qualifications are to be established in 2010 replacing NVQs

The Association of Cost Engineers 10 What are the NOS? (National Occupational Standards) The National Occupational Standards are divided into a number of “Units of Competence” Each Unit specifies: The skills and knowledge required to be competent The scope across which competence must be demonstrated

The Association of Cost Engineers 11 What do the proposed NOS Units of Competence cover? The National Occupational Standards cover a number of units of competence in each of: Cost Estimating, Management and Control Schedule Planning, Management and Control Engineering related skills Commercial Support activities Working with People Managing your own Personal Development Other general professional practices

The Association of Cost Engineers 12 How do the Qualifications work? Candidates must complete all specified mandatory competences and a number of others from a range of options Mandatory Units Cost Related Options Schedule Related Options Engineering Related Options Commercial Support Options Other Options Diploma Potential Diplomas in: Estimating Planning Cost Engineering Commercial Support Project Control The Qualification Units of Assessment are based on a controlled “Pick and Mix” approach, drawing on the National Occupational Standards National Occupational Standards Units of Competence Diploma

The Association of Cost Engineers 13 How might competence be assessed? Performance & Knowledge Requirements Units of Assessment Mandatory & Optional As defined by Qualifications Awarding Body National Occupational Standards Units of Competence Skills … Scope … Knowledge… Range of Applications Candidate’s Portfolio of Work Experience Hardcopy or Electronic Index of Evidence Reference List Candidate Assessment Record Per Unit of Assessment ‘Tick Box’ Log Book Record of Achievement & Application of Certificate Candidate: Collects real examples of work experience and creates Portfolio Compiles Index of Evidence Cross-matches Evidence to the Units of Assessment Assessor: Reviews evidence against the Units of Assessment Updates Record of Achievement Mentors Candidate TASC is the ACostE’s Assessment Service Centre Standard Setting Body Sector Skills Council

The Association of Cost Engineers 14 Support to Changing Career Paths The new national qualification framework enables candidates to gain of qualifications progressively as in line with their career development A candidate would only need to ‘top-up’ a first qualification in, say, Estimating to gain a qualification in Cost Engineering, or in Planning, or in Project Control By demonstrating competence in any additional mandatory and optional units There is no need to be re-assessed in units common to the existing qualifications

The Association of Cost Engineers 15 When will all this be in place? Indicative Timescales: ECITB finalise consultation on revisions to NOS2009 Q4 ECITB calibrate proposed Qualification Structure2010 Q1 ACostE Launch of Tiered Approach to Accreditation2010 Q1 Regulatory Review of ECITB Qualification complete2010 Q2 ECITB Qualification placed in National Framework2010 Q3

The Association of Cost Engineers 16 ACostE Accreditation in relation to the emerging Diplomas The ACostE Tiered Approach to Accreditation will recognise units achieved from the existing NVQ in Project Control, or the emerging Diplomas based on the new National Occupational Standards in Estimating, Planning & Cost Engineering (Project Control) However, due to Awarding Body rules, equivalency is not two-way This is principally due to how the ACostE’s Tiered Approach is biased towards an an assessment of knowledge NVQ’s and the emerging Diplomas are based on knowledge and demonstration of competence

The Association of Cost Engineers 17 ACostE Tiered Approach to Accreditation - What do you think? What would make the tiered approach to accreditation more attractive to your employer? What are the barriers for you in pursuing this professional accreditation? Should the ACostE promote the development of a nationally recognised qualification in Cost Engineering or Cost Estimating disciplines through the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies (SEMTA)? In what way can the ACostE do more to provide opportunities for professional development at the individual, employer, industry or national level? What are the strengths and weaknesses in the approach as you see it? You are invited to discuss and feedback on any aspect of this proposal. Does this meet or fall short of your expectations?