An overview of professional development and qualifications
[Reproduced courtesy of ARMA]
BACKGROUND
The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) was formed in 1991 as a trade body to vet, monitor and promote its members which are principally businesses engaged in the management of residential long leasehold blocks of flats. Today its members manage nearly three quarters of all blocks of flats under professional management.But ARMA, as a trade body, is not in the position to offer individuals a portable professional qualification as it would have no control over individuals so qualified once they left the employ of an ARMA member.However, ARMA recognises the need for not only its members, which are businesses, to deliver quality but also individuals engaged in residential property management whether they work for an ARMA member or not.Thus in January 2002 the Institute of Residential Property Management was launched by ARMA. The Association of Retirement Housing Managers (ARHM) and the Property Managers Association Scotland (PMAS) became further sponsors later that year.
STARTING WITH FIRST PRINCIPLES
As far back as 1997 it was seen that there was a need to produce a definitive detailed statement of the necessary skills and knowledge neededby individuals engaged in block management.With Government funding and under the aegis of Asset Skills a project was created to produce this definitive statement in the form of a National Occupational Standard (NOS) which after extensive input from the sector as a whole was approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in 2001 - the QCA being the Government appointed body that oversees all national educational standards.This NOS is now the guide and benchmark for all future training and qualifications and copies can be obtained from Asset Skills.
TRAINING VERSUS QUALIFICATIONS
Within the area of individual personal development ARMA, ARHM and PMAS have a continuing role to provide training in various forms for their members' employees.This training takes the form of internal circulars to members and members' only training sessions as well as public events such as briefings, workshops and annual conferences. ARMA has published a comprehensive reference source as a self-learning tool (Bibliography & Information Sources) for everyone engaged in the sector, and has been instrumental in setting up a series of one day training courses.
OPEN LEARNING COURSE
Under the aegis of Asset Skills a joint venture was formed in 2000 between ARMA, ARHM, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) to produce an Open Learning Course (OLC) for new entrants into the sector in England and Wales or for those in the property sector but wishing to transfer into residential block management.The OLC is based upon the basic skills and knowledge needs as set out in the NOS and aims to help a student within six months to become an effective member of a block management team. The IRPM Part I examination is based on the contents of the OLC.The Residential Block and Estate Management Introductory Open Learning Course 2007 (OLC) is available to anyone wishing to purchase it. An information leaflet and order form are available from Asset Skills. IRPM members are entitled to the discounted price.
In Scotland, where the law is very different, the Part I examination is based on the contents of the Distance Learning Pack (DLP) – copies are available from IRPM (email: info@irpm.org.uk)
TRAINING COURSES
Organised by ARMA, some in conjunction with the Southampton Solent University, these courses (ATC) provide more advanced and intensive training than the OLC and support candidates in preparing for the IRPM Part II examination in England and Wales.Full details can be obtained from the Downloadable Publications page on www.arma.org.uk.
BIBLIOGRAPHY & INFORMATION SOURCES
ARMA has compiled what is believed to be the first comprehensive reference source for everyone involved in the management of long leasehold residential property. The Bibliography & Information Sources lists publications and where to obtain them, a schedule of organisations relevant to the sector, trade and technical magazines and newsletters as well as useful websites. It is available to IRPM members on the private area of the website.
RECOGNISING SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Training is all very well but it needs its rewards which may be better pay or promotions. It also needs recognition, that is why ARMA sponsored the IRPM with subsequent sponsorship from ARHM and PMAS.The IRPM is dedicated to encouraging the highest personal professional standards and has developed a range of nationally recognised, portable professional qualifications for those involved in residential property management. It is a professional Institute for individuals not businesses and exists to provide the recognition of individuals' capabilities rather than offering training which is being left to each trade body in their relevant sector to provide.The grades of membership are Affiliate (Student), Associate (AIRPM), Member (MIRPM), and Fellow (FIRPM). Eligibility for any particular grade is based upon a given number of years experience and either passing an IRPM examination or holding an alternate IRPM-recognised qualification.
THE 'FIT'
The various activities and involvements of ARMA. ARHM and PMAS are all linked into one aim - providing the highest standards of service and technical competence.Thus, for example, the OLC should provide sufficient learning for an Affiliate to sit the IRPM Part I Examination in England and Wales and move up to Associate grade and the ATCs help to support candidates in preparing for the IRPM Part II Examination to move up to the level of Member.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Business probity, training and professional qualifications are going to be the requirements in future for residential management so you should be contacting the appropriate organisations today:-
Association of Retirement Housing Managers
Southbank House
Black Prince Road
London SE1 7SJ
T: 020 4630 0660
F: 020 7463 0661
enquiries@arhm.org
www.arhm.org
Association of Residential Managing Agents
178 Battersea Park Road
London
SW11 4ND
T: 020 7978 2607
F: 020 7498 6153
info@arma.org.uk
www.arma.org.uk
Asset Skills Management
2 The Courtyard
48 New North Road
Exeter
EX4 4EP
T: 01392 423399
F: 01392 423373
enquiries@assetskills.org
www.assetskills.org
Property Managers Association Scotland
c/o Bishops Secretaries
2 Blythewood Square
Glasgow
G2 4AD
T: 0141 248 4672
F: 0141 221 9270
jamie.millar@bishopslaw.biz
www.pmas.org.uk
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