-- VRCA
Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors now a celebrated part of BCIT degree program
Four organizations collaborate to establish groundbreaking agreement.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 14, 2011
BURNABY, BC: British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) students who successfully complete the Quantity Surveying modules of the Construction Management Degree program will be steps closer to being registered Professional Quantity Surveyors. The graduates of this new course will be accredited by CIQS to have completed the CIQS Educational Requirements for PQS - subject to completion of a diary and final Test of Professional Experience (TPE) to get their actual Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) status.
The role of a Quality Surveyor is to manage and control costs within construction projects. Using a range of management procedures and technical tools, graduates will be prepared to contribute immediately in the construction industry.
This agreement is the culmination of work which began in March of 2009 as a memorandum of understanding between the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS), the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA), the Quantity Surveyors of BC (QSBC), and the School of Construction and the Environment at BCIT.
“By having BCIT, VRCA and the two QS institutions working together it has created further momentum and acceptance toward this project that is very important to the construction industry,” says Roy Lewis, President of the CIQS.
In gaining the CIQS accreditation, students now have enhanced access to experts and the opportunity to pursue an educational path leading toward becoming a Certified Estimator or a Professional Quantity Surveyor.
“The VRCA is very pleased with this collaboration and the outcome is an excellent example of what happens when industry works together with other professional organizations and educational institutions to improve standards and qualifications,” explains Keith Sashaw, President of the VRCA.
All the organizations working on this agreement brought valuable assets and experience to make this program a reality. The VRCA was able to identify gaps and opportunities, the QSBC identified solutions and partnerships and BCIT implemented the solutions in an educational framework.
“The QSBC aims to assist a recognized teaching establishment such as BCIT in the formulation of an education program in Quantity Surveying, says Mark Russell, Past President, QSBC, Representative on CIQS Council, as well as being the CIQS Vice President, CIQS Secretary/Treasurer and CIQS Publications Chair.
The agreement represents the continued evolution of construction industry training at BCIT.
“It’s important to remember that our efforts won’t be stopping here. Encouraging students to participate is the next step in making this program a success,” explains Rod Goy, the Dean of Construction and the Environment at BCIT.
The first set of graduates to this special program is expected in Spring 2013.
For further information on this release, please contact Marita Luk, Business Development Manager, BCIT School of Construction and the Environment at 604.451.7188 or email marita_luk@bcit.ca.
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