CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL STUDIES.

Aim of This Module

The aim of this module is to develop your skills in a range of activities related to professionalism in the modern construction industry. By studying this module you will learn to: +Identify the role of the key professional institution in the Construction Industry. +Understand Construction related Business organizations.

+Understand the diverse role Modern Business Construction Manager. +The concept of importance of Continuing Professional Development(CPD). +Analyze key management topics such as ,Organization Culture,Helath and safety Management, Conducting formal meetings

Understand the Professional Liability and team roles, selection and management. +Present information in a professional manner using written reports and formal presentation.

LECTURE SESSIONS-DAY-1

To help you to achieve above aims todays lecture sessions will cover following topics. 1.A Professional & Professionalism 2.Professional Roles within the Construction Industry. 3.Professional Institution within the Construction Industry.

4.Continues Professional Development. 5.Concept of Professional Liability

1.A Professional & Professionalism

Who is a Professional?

A Professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialized set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. They are: +Trustworthy +Competent +Act with integrity +Considerate.

+Courteous +Dependable +Cooperative +Committed.

Quality & Characteristics of a Professional

1.They take advantage of every opportunity They Learn from successful people by finding out how they achieved their success. 2.They Start by asking questions. They share their knowledge and experience with you if you ask good questions that stimulate their thinking.

3.They are dedicated to the cause

What can I do to contribute my Profession?.-to my employer and my professional association? 4.They use stories They are inventive in selling themselves and their profession. They learn to network , one to one , by using memorable stories. People will remember the picture they create in their minds, rather than words.

They are Persuasive Being professionally acountable,they know how to influence people. They will never say That is not my job and they will never bring their own problems to work They are persuasive representing their company, department or association in public.

What is Professionalism?

Professionalism is defined as the active demonstration of the trait of a Professional. Following are the charactestic of Professionalism. Attitude Is a key characteristic of Professiolisam. A Positive Attitude not only gives the appearance of being a professional , it also greatly increases the chances of success.

Appearance

Appearance is just one way people rate professiolisam. While there are jobs that do not require a business wardrobe in the traditional sense , appearance counts. Clean clothing that reflects the style of the wearer and represents the business in a positive way is another characteristic of professionalism.

Behavior Courteous manner matters. People who practice courtesy , remains calm in spite of anxious surroundings and use appropriate language exhibit professional characteristics. They behave as professionals and there fore believed to be professional.

Vocabulary Level of professiolisam is often judged by vocabulary. It isnt the use of big words, it is the use of right word. Professionals can convey their intended message in a way others understand it.

Mind Set. The ability to focus is a characteristics of professionalisam.For professionals who succeed, it is all in their head Succeeding as a professional requires the right mind set. The ability to focus on the task at hand , to see the whole picture as well as the bit parts , and most important , to see success as an obvious , totally expected out come.

Obstacles Seeing one self as a professional is the most important character of professionalism. While money, education can be obstacles in succeeding as a professional , they arent the biggest ones. The biggest obstacle many people face is in reaching professionalism is learning to see themselves as professionals If you do not see yourself as a professional , no one else will either..

2.Professional Roles Within the Construction Industry

Construction is a process that consists of the building assembling or infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, modern day large construction projects are feat of human multitasking. The successful completion of a Construction Project is based on Team work

There are TWO main Teams are involved in a Construction Project. They are: 1.Design Team 2.Construction Team. Both these team includes Construction Professionals.

Design Team Architects Structural Engineers Civil Engineers Buildering Services Engineers Quantity Surveyors. Clerk of Works

Construction Team Site Managers Site Engineers Site Quantity Surveyors Technical officers Forman Trade Personal They are all are called Construction Professionals.

3.Roles and Responsibilities of Professional Institutions

Professional Institutions set requirements for membership that includes Academic and Initial Professional Development, who wish to become Construction Professionals.. The Professional Institutions related to the construction industry are forced to play a major role in todays ever changing industry.

CONSTRUCTION RELATED PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Royal Institute of British Architects Institution of Civil Engineers Institution of Structural Engineers Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Chartered Institute of Builders Charted Institute of Building Service Engineers.

Institute of Clerk of Works Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers. Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors.

TYPICAL MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE

Professional Institutions Role in the Changing Industry.

1.Raise education and training standards. 2.Accrediting over 600 courses at leading universities world wide. 3.Setting and promoting international best practice in professionalism. 4.00Protecting consumers with strict code of practice.

5.Setting the highest standards of academic achievement , practical training and lifelong training. 6.Setting and promoting international best practices in professionalism. 7.Regulating the profession through ethical principals and a state-of-art regulatory frame work with the gain of modern business life.

8.Leading debates on major global issues affecting business and society , from climate change and international development. 7.Helping the construction industry with the current trend of Globalization.

4.Cotinuing Professional Development(CPD)

What is CPD

We live in a rapid changing world where legislative, social, and economic developments directly affects the environment in which we live and work , and where technological advances provide radically different ways of working.

CPD opportunities provide a means where by: We can keep abreast of these changes. Broaden our skills and Be more effective in our work

According to the Chartered Institute of Personal Development

CPD should: Professionals should always be looking for ways to improve performance . Be continuous Be the responsibility of the individual learner to own and manage. Be driven by the learning needs and development of the individual. Be an essential component of the professional and personal life, never an option extra.

What can be counted as CPD.?

Certified attendance at conferences, seminars ,workshops or courses having a formal structure. Successful completion of a relevant program of accredited study. Private study, the learning outcomes of which can be demonstrated.

Attendance at meetings, working groups or panels where a significant personal contribution is made. Assisting in the professional development of others through coaching, mentoring, assessing or counseling. To publication of materials , including research , relating to ones profession. The preparation and delivery of presentations to colleagues , fellow professionals or the public.

Benefits for Individuals

Improve your carrier prospects by achieving additional qualifications. Respond to changing conditions at work. Achieve your career goals by focusing on your training and development. Achieve advancement at work. Earn more by showcasing your achievements.

Build confidence and credibility. Change carrier. Meet the requirement of Professional Bodies. Understand latest development in your field. Develop your knowledge of the environment in which you work. Be better at doing your job. Cope positively with change by constantly updating your skills set. Be more productive.

Benefits for the Organizations

As organizations shift the responsibilities for personal development back to the individuals, the ability and insight to manage your own professional growth is seen as a key strength. Helps maximize staff potential by linking learning to actions and theory and practice. Promote staff development. This lead to better staff morale and a motivated work force helps give a positive image /brand to organizations.

Adds-value , by reflecting it will help staff to consciously apply learning to their role and the organizations development. Linking to appraisals. This is good tool to help employees focus their achievements through out the year.

CPD through RICS

RICS is an independent ,representative of professional body which regulates QS and other related professional surveyors in the United Kingdom and other sovereign nations. RICS provide education and training standards, protects consumers with strict code of practice and advices government and business.

RICS Definition on CPD

CONTINUNING: because learning never ceases , regardless of age or seniority. PROFESSIONAL: because it is focused on professional competence in a professional role. DEVELOPMENT: because its goal is to improve personal performance and enhance carrier progression , which arguably is much wider than just formal training program,.

.CPD also known as Life long Learning or LLE through RICS requires a strict code. From January 2010 the Rule of Conduct for Members concerning CPD is: Members shall plan, undertake, record and evaluate appropriate continuing professional development and , on request , provide RICS with evidence that they have done so.

The rule provides members with flexibility and autonomy in planning and undertaking their learning activities but places additional responsibility on Members for evaluating the nature and amount of learning to be undertaken. Undertaking CPD for members of RICS is an essential part of being a professional.

5.Professional Liability

Professional Liability can be defined as the legal obligations arising out of a professionals errors, negligent acts or omissions during the course of the practice of his profession. Professional Liability Insurance(PLI) also called Professional Indemnity Insurance(PII) is a form of liability insurance that helps protect professional advice and services providing individuals and companies from bearing the full cost of defending against a negligence claims made by a client , and damages awarded in such a law suit.

The coverage focuses on alleged failure to perform on the part of the , financial losses caused by n and error or omission in the service or product sold by the policyholder. These are potential causes for legal action that would not be covered by more general liability insurance policy which address more direct forms of harm.

Professional Liability Insurence

PLII coverage some times provide for the defense cost , including when legal action turns out to be groundless. Coverage does not include criminal prosecution, nor a wide range of potential liabilities under civil law that are not enumerated in the policy.

PLII may take on different forms and names depending on the profession. For example in reference to medical Profession it called Malpractices Insurance In reference to Construction Professions it is called Errors and Omission(E&O) insurance.

Errors & Omissions Insurance

The primary reason for Professional liability coverage is that typical general liability insurance policy will only respond to a bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury. But various professional services and products can give rise to legal claims without causing any of the specific types of harm covered by such policies.

Common claims that PLI covers are negligence, misreprsentation,violation of good faith and fair dealing and in accurate advice. For example wrong advice to a client , it may not cause physical, or personal damages , therefore the general liability policy not be triggered. But it may however cause financial losses which could potentially be attributed to the respective professionals misinterpretation or advisory capability.

Errors and Omission(E&O).insurance is most often use by Construction Professionals This is because a mistake which causes financial harm to another can occur in almost any transactions in many professions.