Education updates

TPE diary revisions approved

David Lai, PQS (F)

am pleased to announce that the performance of our members in the 2012 examinations is back on par to where we expect them to be. The final results of the November 2012 examination session showed a 77% pass rate with a 23% failure rate and, when combined with the May 2012 examination session results, the overall for 2012 is a 72% pass rate with a 28% failure rate. This is a 19% improvement over the 2011 results.

The winners of our annual education awards are: • The Frank Helyar Memorial Award for the highest mark (above 75%) in subject #302 – Ms. Amanda White of

Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia. • The Buster Vermeulen Memorial

Award for the highest mark (above 75%) in subject #308 – Mr. William Jones of Halifax, Nova Scotia and

Mr. Justin Mercer of St. John’s,

Newfoundland. It should be noted here that this is the first time that we have a tie for the Buster Vermeulen Memorial Award.

As previously mentioned in the winter edition of the Construction Economist, the TPE diary requirements were under review. My initial review was sent to the newly formed National Education & Membership Committee for comments and recommendations. The final recommendations were presented to the CIQS Council in their March 2013 meeting for approval. Effective immediately, the approved changes are: a) A reduction in the annual working hours from 1,920 to 1,800. This reduction allows for additional lost time during the year due to sickness, emergencies, etc.

Ib) The merger of 4 sub-sections in Section 6.2.2 – Optional Requirements of the Approved Areas of Experience. A closer examination of the sub-sections revealed that some were duplicated and it is hoped that this reduction/ streamlining will reduce the confusion our members face when filling in their work diaries. c) A reduction in the minimum number of hours required for each sub-section in the Area of Approved Experience. Please note that although the minimum hours are reduced per sub-section, members must still meet the overall minimum annual working hours. d) A reduction in the number of subsections required for Section 6.2.2 - Optional Requirements for PQS. This is a result of the merger of sub-sections described in (b) above.

CIQS TPE Diary Requirements

Section Previous Requirements Minimum sub-section required Minimum working hours per sub-section

Total minimum working hours required Class D1 Diary (1 Year Duration) – Associate to CEC 6.2.1 - Mandatory Any 4 160 1,520 6.2.2 - Optional At least 3 80 400

Total

1,920 Class D2 Diary (1 Year Duration) – CEC to PQS 6.2.1 - Mandatory Remaining 3 not covered under D1 Diary 160 1,520

6.2.2 - Optional At least 3 not covered under D1 Diary 80 400

Total

1,920 Class D3 Diary (2 Year Duration) – Associate to PQS 6.2.1 - Mandatory All 7 sub-sections 160 3,040

6.2.2 - Optional At least 6 80 Total 800 3,840 Approved Requirements Minimum sub-section required Minimum working hours per sub-section Total minimum working hours required

Any 4 64 At least 3 32 1,440 360 1,800

All 7 sub-sections 64

At least 5 32 1,440

360

All 7 sub-sections 128

At least 5 64 1,800

2,880

720 3,600

My observation so far is that this book will be an excellent addition to our list of required texts .

e) Several changes to the Class D2

Diary (CEC to PQS). These changes allow members to gain credit for a wider work experience and not be as restrictive as the previous requirements. Also, these changes will address the requirements when a member is accepted directly as a

CEC and wants to continue to PQS. A comparison of the previous diary requirements with the new requirements is shown in the table on the previous page.

These diary changes will also affect our Career Book as well as the Education Policy Guidance Notes. The revised diary requirements, career book and education policy guidance notes will be posted on the CIQS website as soon as possible. The career book is also in the process of being translated to French and will be available soon.

I am currently reviewing a proposed new textbook titled Smart Economics in Development Economics written by one of our retired members, Mr. Jim Cuthbert, PQS(F). It is hoped that this book will be available in time for the November 2013 examination. My observation so far is that this book will be an excellent addition to our list of required texts and will not only be very useful for our members studying for subject #C309 – Development Economics, but will be an invaluable source of reference for everyone. Our deep appreciation goes to Mr. Cuthbert for such a valuable contribution to the Institute and our profession.

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