Planning Summer School- the APC Process

Sue Percy, RTPI

6th September 2008

Presentation Outline

An introduction to the RTPIAn introduction to the APC & APC UpdateCompleting the APC log book The APC submission – helpful hints from AssessorsQuestion & Answer

An introduction to the RTPI

Promoting spatial planning

Developing and shaping policy

Raising the standards of the profession

Supporting our membership

Educating and training future planners

Who are we?

The members: over 21,000

Governed by Executive Board & General Assembly

Central London office (45 staff)

Supports Regional/National network with support staff

Planning Aid

What can Membership Offer?

Professional Status – MRTPI

Information & Knowledge

Professional Development

Influencing the Agenda

Professional Networking

Support in the Workplace

Gaining Membership

Chartered Member – MRTPI

Licentiate Member (APC)MANDATORY

Student Member (accredited course)(free student membership available in final year)

APC Composition

Minimum requirement for professional experience

Licentiate membership for at least one year (post-qualification)

Log book

Professional Development Plan

Mentor

Written Submission

APC Update

Over 1700 Licentiates

Over 250 Membership elections through APC

Results pending for fourth large deadline

Next deadline 24 October 2008

APC Review towards end 2008

Completing the APC log book

Some FAQs

Some examples

Log Books – Some FAQs

Why keep a log book?– Further career development– Feed into production of final submission – chart

how you have developed over time– Supports final submission for Assessors– Can be used to support CVs/appraisal– Not currently formally assessed

What should I include?

Two ‘types’ of log book:‘Process-led’– Overview of workload– Some examples in detail

‘Project-led’– Might only be one or two projects over whole

period– Identifying key activities– Still recording on monthly basis

Log Books – Some FAQs

What should I include?– Enough detail about activities to be able to think

about skill/knowledge specific to that activity– Enough detail to help you recall what you did– Enough detail to be able to see development– Ensure include technical skills/knowledge as well

as soft skills– Do include professional development activity but

no need to over-emphasise

Some Examples

APC Submission

Helpful hints from Assessors

Format

Practical Experience Statement (1,000 words)– Factual, chronological, descriptive

– Where employed, roles and responsibilities

– Demonstrate continuity

– Do talk about all experience if you wish

Format

Professional Competence Statement (2,500 words)– More detailed, reflective account

– Focuses on one or two examples

– Makes clear reference to all assessment criteria

– NOT a repetition of the PES

Format

Conclusion (1,500 words)– SWOT analysis and PDP– STILL IMPORTANT– Strong link between SWOT and PDP– Links to other parts of statement and log book?– How do Assessors know it’s your PDP?– Think carefully about objectives and ways of

meeting them

Professional competencies

i. An understanding of contextii. Ability to identify and analyse issuesiii. Skill in gathering appropriate informationiv. Skill in identifying and evaluating strategiesv. Skill in initiating action to implement strategies or

dissemination and application of knowledgevi. Engagement in a process of monitoring and reviewvii. An awareness of the legal framework and ethical challenges;

appreciation of the RTPI’s Code of Professional Conduct

Other competencies

High standard of presentationHighest standard of grammarCorrect spellingClarity of thoughtPage numbers!Within specified word limit

Attention to issues of professional confidentiality

APC Submission – DON’TS

Put your name on your submission or log book

Send supplementary material

Overly focus on your CPD activity – this is first and foremost an assessment of your professional competence in the workplace

Forget to sign it!

APC Submission – DO’s

Complete the cover form

Make sure your submission is corroborated

Make clear your own contribution

Speak in the first person and use ‘I’

Be explicit – Assessors cannot work by inference

APC Submission – DO’s

Take care over presentation – spelling & grammar, page & paragraph numbers

Feel free to use some diagrams/illustrations, but still be clear on your contribution

Pay attention to the assessment criteria

Try to restrict the number of projects you draw on in your PCS

Link your PDP with your SWOT analysis – as well as your submission and log book

Any Questions?