NEW CERTIFICATION FRAMEWORK LAUNCH!

It was with great excitement that Survey and Spatial New Zealand (S+SNZ) announced the official launch of the long-awaited Survey and Spatial New Zealand Certification Framework. This achievement is the result of a 2-year Certification Development Project, including a successful Pilot Program that was completed in 2022.

New Zealand

Sur vey and Spatial TĀTAI

The purpose of the new framework is to provide a recognised professional pathway for members at all levels, with clear eligibility criteria, a public register and mandatory Continuing Professional Development - all supported by a robust renewal process and a quality management system.

S+SNZ anticipate accepting applications from July 2023 for the two certifications that will be on offer. These are the Survey and Spatial New Zealand Certified Professional Engineering Surveyor and the Survey and Spatial New Zealand Certified Professional Land Development Engineer. There is an immense amount of interest in the framework as the two certifications will be the first of their kind in New Zealand and will set a quality benchmark for the industry. The programme will be open exclusively to S+SNZ members who can expect an announcement with detailed information on the cost and process of application prior to the opening of applications.

Under the new framework we will initially provide Certification for Engineering Surveyors and Land Development Engineers. Over time, it is expected that the framework will be expanded to include other professions within S+SNZ membership.

Engineering Surveying was chosen as it an unregulated industry within in New Zealand and this new certification is the first step to providing recognition of professional and technical competency for NZ Engineering Surveyors. It will provide quality assurance for employers, clients, and third parties and provide a new career pathway for our members.

Land Development Engineering was the second choice and is a first in New Zealand for Professional Land Development Engineers. The framework assesses to a high standard, providing recognition of current professional and technical competency in civil engineering as it relates to land development. It also aligns with the intent of Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment’s new ‘Occupational Regulation of Engineers’ Act which is due to be passed in 2023.

The framework is designed to include processes that ensure currency. This will be achieved with a 4 yearly Re-assessment of Competency, an Annual Practising Certificate with compulsory Continuing Professional Development and an annual commitment to ethics and professional best practice.

The Certifications of Competence are formal recognition by S+SNZ of those who have been assessed against a defined set of professional and technical competencies. Theses meet standards and technical sign-off criteria required by private and public asset owners, Territorial and Local Authorities and other such entities.

There will be Annual Practising Certificates for both the Survey and Spatial New Zealand Certified Professional Engineering Surveyor and the Survey and Spatial New Zealand Professional Land Development Engineer setting a quality benchmark for the industry to maintain public confidence across key areas in which they practice.

Enquiries relating to the framework can be sent to certification@surveyspatialnz.org •