Compared to the RTPI’s previous system of gaining Membership, the APC introduces a much more structured, rigorous assessment of a candidate’s professional competence, rather than a reliance merely on the amount of time they have spent in the profession. While it is the responsibility of the individual candidate to undertake each required element, support from the employer is an invaluable way of working to ensure that your graduate planners are elected to Chartered Membership. Find out more about the benefits of employing Chartered Planners.

The APC is made up of a period of eligible experience, with particular elements to be completed during this period, and an assessment of competence at the end of the process. The APC comprises:

A period of eligible experience – as with the old membership system, candidates for membership are required to demonstrate at least two years of eligible, professional planning experience, and at least one of these years must follow successful completion of their accredited qualification. However unlike the old system, candidates must be registered as Licentiate Members in order for this post-qualifying period of experience to be eligible.

Licentiate Membership – this new, graduate class of membership was introduced at the same time as the APC. By employing a Licentiate Member of the RTPI you know that you are employing someone who has successfully completed an accredited qualification, and who is actively working towards Chartered Membership.

The APC Log book – introduced for the first time with the APC, each Licentiate (and some students, if they are working part-time and beginning their APC early) will be keeping a monthly record of the work they have undertaken and reflecting on this work to identify strengths and weakness in their knowledge and skill. As their employer, as a minimum you will be signing off this monthly record, but there may be more you can do to support this process – see the Supporting your Graduates section.

The Professional Development Plan – alongside the log book, each Licentiate will also be keeping an up-to-date professional development plan to review their progress, set targets and goals, and identify ways of meeting them. As well as supporting a graduate’s development as part of the APC, this is also an excellent introduction to the professional development planning element of the RTPI’s CPD requirements. Find out more about integrating this document with your own internal processes in the Supporting your Graduates section.

The APC Mentor – each Licentiate has the opportunity to identify a Chartered Member to act as their mentor to support them in this process. In turn, the RTPI provides support for formally registered APC mentors in the form of free training and guidance. Find out more about helping your Licentiates to find a mentor in the Supporting your Graduates section, or find out more about the Mentoring role in Information for APC Mentors.

The APC Written Submission – submitted at the end of the period of eligible experience, the APC written submission is effectively the application for Chartered Membership. At 5,000 words in length, this document is significantly longer and more involved than under the old membership application system, and focuses on the demonstration of professional competence as well as eligible experience. Find out more about how you can assist your graduates in making this application in the Supporting your Graduates section.

Full guidance on each element of the APC is available in the Guide to the APC and on the associated APC section.

Information for employers on supporting their graduates through this process is available from the Supporting your Graduates section.

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

09-Jul-08

Categories:

Assessment of Professional Competence 

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