Surveying Technician

Occupation overview

The main duties and tasks of a Surveying Technician are:

To collect information from inspections or visits to buildings, land and construction sites
To take appropriate measurements of buildings, land or plans
To meet with other professionals, clients, customers and others to obtain and provide information relating to land, property or construction
To collect and record data relating to land, buildings or construction for technical use
To manage work tasks relating to the area of practice
To undertake costings and/or measurements and/or valuations using data collected from research
To ensure a safe working environment for themselves and others

Skills

Data collection and analysis Measure and collect data relevant to the surveying discipline
Health and safety Demonstrate the application of health and safety issues and the requirements for compliance
Construction technology Apply the principles of construction technology and the environmental performance of materials
Law Apply the principles of contract law to include either contracts for acquisition/disposal of property, standard forms of building contracts or other property related contracts
Personal effectiveness Manage own time and tasks, communicate and negotiate effectively

Optional Skills

Valuation and appraisal Undertake capital and rental valuations and demonstrate involvement with the preparation of client reports. Use a variety of valuation methods and techniques and use the relevant valuation standards and guidance
Building surveys Undertake surveys, using survey and other information to diagnose cause and mechanisms of failure
Land, property and planning law Apply the law and practice relating to at least two of land, property, landlord and tenant or planning
Tendering and procurement Implement procurement routes selected for projects and carrying out tendering processes relevant to them
Costing and cost planning of construction work Quantification, costing and cost management of construction works, including the use of appropriate standard methods of measurement and forms of cost analysis.

Knowledge

Law: Outline the English legal system, law of contract and law of tort
Data collection: Explain key mathematical principles, principles of measurement, the importance of accuracy, data management and confidentiality
Economics: Be aware of economic principles and the operation of economic and property/construction markets
Health and safety: Describe the principles and responsibilities imposed by law, codes of practice and other regulations
Sustainability: Explain how and why sustainability seeks to balance economic, environmental and social objectives
Construction Technology: Describe the technology of low rise buildings including materials
Personal effectiveness: Explain how to manage own time and tasks, communicate and negotiate effectively

Optional Knowledge

Valuation and appraisal Describe the reasons for valuations and the methods to provide both capital and rental valuation advice
Building pathology Be aware of common building defects including collection of information, measurement and tests
Land, property and planning law Explain principles of land law, the law of landlord and tenant and planning law
Procurement and contracts Describe the main types of procurement and tendering and the various forms of contract used in the construction industry
Costing and cost planning of construction works Be aware of the principles of quantification and costing of construction works and how cost planning assists in the financial control of projects

Note relating to optional knowledge and skills: Typically apprentices following the Valuation, Residential or Commercial Property, and Land pathways will take a and c whilst those following Building Surveying will take b and d and those taking Consultant Quantity Surveying will take d and e but the final decision will be that of the employer

Behaviours

Provide a high standard of service Always ensure you provide the best possible service, ensure you give attention to detail and meet all deadlines set
Act in a way that promotes trust in the surveying profession Act in a professional and positive manner at all times
Act with integrity Be honest and straightforward in all that you do.
Treat others with respect Treat everyone with courtesy, politeness and respect
Take responsibility Be accountable for all your actions

Entry Requirements

The entry requirement for the apprenticeship will typically be five GCSEs at Grade C or higher including Maths and English or a Level 2 apprenticeship in a construction or property related discipline but the final decision is that of each employer. Apprentices who are granted entry without GCSE Grade C or higher in Maths and English will be required to achieve Functional Skills in English and Maths at Level 2 as part of the apprenticeship.

Apprentices without level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.

Duration

The apprenticeship will typically be undertaken over two years.

Professional Qualification / Recognition

Apprentices will achieve a Level 3 Diploma in Surveying as a pre requisite to end point assessment and will become Associate members of the RICS (AssocRICS).

The apprenticeship will provide the necessary knowledge skills and behaviours for successful apprentices to become Associate members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.