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a specialism. For Stroma, the idea took hold that these could be used as a foundation for imparting professional training and standards as part of its work to fill the skills shortage. “It was quite the task to use the competencies to map out an effective twoyear training programme,” says Jonathan. “You have to look at each element of the competency and ask ‘how do you teach that in a classroom?’ and then ‘how do you apply it to the job?’. The course is a mix of academic work and vocational training – almost like an apprenticeship – with mentoring from an experienced surveyor or senior manager. We’ve worked to bring in external specialists too, so there is a broader understanding of the role and how it sits with other professions. For example, in year one there’s a bespoke fire regulations and safety course, and in year two there’s an acoustic knowledge course. Both are delivered by external experts.” Jonathan notes that the course application process is stringent because choosing the right people is key. “We expect people to work hard,” he says. The course is a mixture of group seminars, webinars and one-to-one support as well as the practical elements that take into account that people learn differently. “Some people need more repetition than others and some are very proactive in their approach, reading around the academic study and asking plenty of questions.”
Jonathan Gallie, Group HR Director for Stroma, discusses a training programme built on the applied framework of CABE’s competencies
JANUARY 2021
S BUILDING ENGINEER
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troma’s Academy offers recent graduates, construction career changers and qualified surveyors the chance to become chartered building control surveyors and building engineers. In response to the skills shortage, Stroma decided to upskill its own and provide a route into the profession for those with relevant qualifications, such as early-year professionals, university and college leavers, and those leaving a trade who wanted to upskill. What sets the Academy apart, however, is that CABE’s core competencies were used to guide the learning and full professional membership of CABE awaits those who complete the course. In 2019, Stroma became a Company Partner of CABE – the same year that CABE announced its new professional competency frameworks and disciplinary procedures. These set out in a structured way the knowledge or evidence required to demonstrate competence relevant to
CABE’s professional competencies are the framework on which the course is based The course mixes academic work and vocational training with mentoring from an experienced surveyor or senior manager
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