The Points System

The WIL program uses a point system to help you accumulate the required number of points.

The Points System is akin to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). All professional bodies require their members to undertake further learning to ensure they are up to date with their profession. As a student, you are advised to take advantage of free memberships offered by some of these institutions. The construction industry is represented by the following professional bodies,

The Australian Institute of Building (AIB)  https://www.aib.org.au (opens in a new window)

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) https://www.ciob.org/near-you (opens in a new window)

The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) https://www.aiqs.com.au (opens in a new window)

The Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) https://www.aibs.com.au (opens in a new window)

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) https://www.rics.org/oceania (opens in a new window)

A Certificate of Practice helps student build the necessary skills to continue with Continuous Professional Development required by the construction management industry.  Professionals in the industry are required to accrue a certain amount of points either within a given year or over a given period such as 3 years. Likewise, the Certificate of Practice requires students to achieve 30 points per year, equivalent to 120 points within their 4 years of study. The Office of the Building Commissioner (OBC) has mandated that as a rule, CPD points are deemed to be 1 point gained for the completion of 1 hour of an approved CPD program. In some cases, the number of points may be predetermined for the completion of a certain activity.

Transferable Skills designed to develop your own personal development. 30 points

Discipline Related and Practice Skills designed to develop skills required on the field. 45 points

Transferable Skills

This segment of learning will concentrate on the student’s personal development. Regardless of the student’s career choices, students can design the most appropriate learning that will assist them with their career to become leaders in the industry. These modules will be available online and students will be provided opportunities for self-reflection and assessment.

Directions for students to access pre-requisite Modules will made available online. These could include,

• English Language Proficiency
• Professional Communication
• Interview skills
• Workplace Health, Safety and Behaviour
• Resume writing
• Working in a team
• Team management
• Self-management
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Preparing Presentations
• Writing Professional Documents (Report writing)
• Academic and Professional Integrity

Subject to any advanced standing, the following options are also available,

• Career development workshops
• Reflective thinking workshops
• On-Site and in-office workplace experience
• Community service
• Public speaking
• Mentoring

Discipline Related Skills

Discipline related skills are designed to prepare students for their initial workplace encounter.  They prepare students with the basic knowledge and requirements employers will be looking for. The modules provided will be sourced from within the university and industry partnerships. This may involve travelling and time spent either within an office environment or on-site. It is expected students undertake some form of unpaid work. This may be community work projects or work experience. When these situations arise, please refer to the university insurance policy (link) to ensure that you will be covered. Should you be in paid employment, insurance will be the responsibility of your employer.

• Site excursions, expos and field days
• Apprenticeship training via VET program
• Induction training
• First Aid certificate
• Continuing professional development CPD offered by the MBA and HIA
• Public Speaking (toolbox talks)
• On-the-job training-site experience
• Building materials – factory visits
• Site Management – on site job experience
http://subjectguides.library.westernsydney.edu.au/companyinformation

Practice Skills

Practice Skills are designed to prepare students for professional life. These modules are best undertaken within your third or fourth year of your degree. Students will be exposed to modules designed to develop their own personal sense of professional and ethical behaviour.  In addition, CPD courses will be highly recommended for all students to undertake as they will provide information of topical and current concerns within industry. Practice Skills will also assist those students who are pursuing a Sub-Major in a disciplined related skill set, for example Quantity Surveying or Certification.

• Mental first aid certificate e.g.  Mates in Construction (MIC)
• Cadetship program with an approved employer
• Career orientation – specialisation e.g. sub-major
• Professionalism- industry engagement, YBA, Novus.
• CIOB Global Challenge
• CPD programs offered by either AIB, CIOB, RICS, AIQS or AIBS
  • Design Management
  • Project Co-ordination
  • Commercial Management
  • Estimating
  • Project Management
  • Government liaison
  • Certification

Points Required for Graduation

For students who may be already in employment and are not seeking a ‘Certificate of Practice’, a minimum of 1200 hours, will be required as per the following schedule. These hours and skills attained will be required to be entered onto the electronic logbook.

Discipline Related Skills (indicative hours to be spent)

Site Experience – (200hrs)

• Actual onsite work experience
• Safe work practices and procedures
• Quality control and supervision

Procurement – (200hrs)

• Purchasing
• Stock and inventory control
• Plant hire

Commercial Management – (200hrs)

• Contract administration
• Office / business administration
• Sales and marketing

Practice Skills

Estimating – (200hrs)

• Preparing a Bill of Quantities, estimating and pricing
• Scoping and preparing tender documents
• Administering variations

Building Design Management – (200hrs)

• Design process
• Documentation
• Compliance and certification

Project Management – (200hrs)

• Construction planning and scheduling
• Project coordination and management practices
• Reporting i.e. Progress Control Group (PCG) meetings