Geraldine Shortall, MIRPM, a senior member of the Institute of Residential Property Management
(IRPM) Secretariat, examines the opportunities for continuing the professional development of residential property managers.
Regular readers of News On The Block may recall an article in issue 25 explaining how the (IRPM) is helping to ensure service standards are maintained via an exam-based portable professional qualification. The question posed then was “Do property managers have sufficient qualifications and training to be able to carry out the increasingly complex task of block management professionally?” The IRPM was launched in January 2002 with the specific aims of:
raising standards in this professional sector
providing individuals with independent accreditation as to their professional skills
aiding in the process of recruiting new entrants to the sector
assisting practitioners in assessing job applicant capabilities
generally improving the standing of the sector in the eyes of the public; and
providing opportunities for Continuing Professional Development.
Generally it is accepted by leaseholders, resident management companies, investor freeholders, developers and property managers alike that the complex task in question has grown, and continues to grow, increasingly complex with more legislation emanating from Brussels and our current government. Health & Safety issues alone constitute a minefield, the safe navigation of which requires regular review and information update. It is no longer a question of having learned a trade – the professional property manager needs to constantly refresh their knowledge and keep abreast of current developments.
IRPM members
Following the development and introduction of the first IRPM Part I exam in March 2003 and Part II in February 2005, the Institute now boasts 782 members of which:
134 are Affiliates
312 are Associates
290 are Members
55 are Fellows
(Fellowships are awarded to those members who have made a significant contribution to the sector independently of their professional careers.)
The next Part I examination will be held on 24th January 2007 and Part II on 2nd May 2007. IRPM membership is recognised as demonstrating an individual’s commitment to their professionalism by sitting and passing the relevant examinations and gaining their portable qualification. More, however is required!
Continuing professional development
CPD is now a fact of life for IRPM members as reported by the Membership Working Group in the IRPM Annual Report, presented to the AGM on 9th November 2006. CPD is not at present a mandatory requirement for members of the IRPM but, in due course, as required by the Institute’s Constitution, it will be for Fellows, Members and Associates of the Institute. The IRPM has this year, however, implemented a voluntary CPD scheme and all IRPM attendees at conferences, seminars, workshops and training courses, etc. relevant to the residential property management sector receive a CPD Certificate. Certificates of Achievement will be issued after the end of the CPD year (December).
By committing to CPD, members:
improve their performance
increase their understanding of their job
ensure greater job satisfaction
progress their career prospects
develop their CV
command better salary and benefits
give substance and credibility to their professional standing
The IRPM Membership Working Group is gratified to note the evidence of this commitment on the part of both employers and employees, despite the demands of an extremely full working life.
Education and training
The Open Learning Course (published by Asset Skills in a joint venture with ARMA, ARLA, the CIH, NAEA, ARHM and the RICS) not only provides all the knowledge necessary to pass the IRPM Part 1 examination, but remains a valuable reference guide.
The new series of ARMA Training Courses (many in conjunction with Southampton Solent University) will take place in February and March 2007 covering the following one day courses:
Introduction to Residential Property Management
Understanding Buildings
Health & Safety/Fire Safety Order
Enforcing Covenants
The RMC Structure & Statutory Duties, Company Law, Data Protection, Document Inspection
Understanding Residential Property
Management (a 2-day course)
In-house courses provided through ARMA, sometimes bespoke, are becoming increasingly popular with employers.
Bibliography and information sources
ARMA has published a comprehensive reference source for everyone involved in the management of long leasehold residential property. This lists publications and where to obtain them, a schedule of organisations relevant to the sector, trade and technical magazines and newsletters as well as useful websites. It is available free of charge to IRPM members.
Please note the syllabus and learning material for the Scottish exams are different as the law and other factors differ from those in England and Wales. The Distance Learning Pack that underpins the Part 1 exam is available electronically from the IRPM Secretariat.
The Institute of Residential Property Management www.irpm.org.uk
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