IHE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN

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1 IHE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN ASSET MANAGEMENT Introduction Asset Management assumes greater professional and political significance in ensuring that highway assets are managed effectively to achieve their maximum benefit in accordance with local and national priorities. The IHE Professional Certificate in Asset Management provides an opportunity for those with experience in the management of highway asset to demonstrate their competence and expand upon their knowledge of this increasingly important area. The Professional Certificate is available to both IHE members and non-members. For the individual it proves competence and highlights personal achievements. For an employer it ensures competent staff and contributes to providing a map for structured training. The Professional Certificate in Asset Management is awarded in three grades: Foundation Practitioner Expert / Lead Practitioner All those who work within the field of Asset Management can apply to gain the Professional Certificate whatever their academic background and experience. To gain the Professional Certificate, applicants must submit a Portfolio of Evidence with a focus on recent projects/work assignments and be prepared to present the report at an interview (dependant on level).

2 Foundation Be able to demonstrate an awareness and knowledge of various core aspects of Asset Management. Practitioner Demonstrate the ability to solve problems and lead. Expert Practitioner Exercising significant leadership and management responsibilities in the field of Asset Management. Competencies Presently there are 12 competencies available to select from with 4 core ones which must be completed. Summary Competence driven Based on report and portfolio of evidence of YOUR work Assessment at interview (dependant on level) Available to all, independent of qualification, experience or institute membership Valid for five years Can be combined with an IHE Professional Review Grade Competencies Required* Min Max 1 Foundation Practitioner Expert Practitioner n/a ALL 12 * Applicants must pass all 4 core competencies. * See Asset Management Competency Framework for details of competencies * See Asset Management Overview document for further information on the Professional Certificate. Application IHE Application Form endorsed by Employer Photocopies of any educational qualifications and a list of training courses A CV (not more than two A4 pages) Current job description An organisation chart showing your current position Portfolio of Evidence demonstrating your work on selected projects cross referenced to your selected competencies All submissions will be reviewed by two assessors from an appointed IHE Asset Management Panel and applicants (depending on level) may be required to attend an interview to demonstrate knowledge and competence in the given competencies. Further information is available from the IHE De Morgan House, 58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS. Telephone Cherrie Ouerghi on events@theihe.org

3 Overview Asset Management assumes greater professional and political significance in ensuring that highway assets are managed effectively to achieve their maximum benefit in accordance with local and national priorities. Asset Management is a key function for those persons, businesses or authorities that are involved in: Managing the condition, value, size and complexity of their asset base. Involved in the establishment, implementation, maintenance and improvement of an asset management system. Involved in the planning, design, implementation and review of asset management activities. Involved in the Safety and Serviceability surveying activities of highway related infrastructure Asset Management involves the balancing of costs, opportunities and risks against the desired performance of assets, to achieve the organisational objectives. The balancing might need to be considered over different timeframes. Asset Management enables an organisation to examine the need for, and performance of, assets and asset systems at different levels. Additionally, it enables the application of analytical approaches towards managing an asset over the different stages of its life cycle (which can start with the conception of the need for the asset, through to its disposal, and includes the managing of any potential post disposal liabilities). IHE Professional Certificate The IHE is offering a Professional Certificate in Asset Management to provide an opportunity for those with experience in the management of highway asset to demonstrate their competence and expand upon their knowledge of this increasingly important area. The Professional Certificate will be offered at Foundation, Practitioner and Expert/Lead Practitioner level and will provide an industry benchmark for quality for those involved in highway asset management. The Professional Certificate is available to both IHE members and non-members. The IHE is working with partners to ensure that the Professional Certificates reflect industry needs. Award of the Professional Certificate is subject to a commitment by the applicant to maintain their skill levels and to complete appropriate and structured CPD learning. CPD records may be called for inspection at any time to ensure that records are being maintained in accordance with the Standard. Training and Certifying Asset Management Professionals The IHE has well established processes which have been developed for a number of subject areas which lead to the award of a Professional Certificate. Successful candidates will be aided in being able to practice the skills and competencies to a recognised standard. Candidates may use the Professional Certificate to join IHE as a Member grade of the Institute. The Professional Certificate may also assist in an application for registration at an appropriate level with Engineering Council. Employers can be confident that holders of the IHE Professional Certificate are qualified practitioners and thus holders of the Professional Certificate could enjoy an advantage in the jobs market. How can the Professional Certificate be gained? The Professional Certificate can be gained by one of two routes, both of which are based around a series of identified competencies: 1. Successfully complete the IHE course which includes a taught programme, assessment and assignments 2. Submit an individual portfolio of evidence demonstrating competence against a series of set competencies. Competencies Following on-going discussions with industry the following competencies have been identified for Asset Management practitioners against which the Professional Certificates will be awarded: (See Asset Management Competency Framework document) Core competencies Highway Law, Ownership and legal obligations Governance and Strategy Asset Management Principles Inventory Subject specific competencies Codes of Practice Network Prioritisation and Risk Management Funding and Lifecycle Inspecting and National Key performance Indicators Performance Standards Sustainability and Asset Preservation Asset Maintenance Regime New and Emerging Technology

4 Levels of Professional Certificate Foundation (Understanding) Practitioner (Practicing) Expert/Lead Practitioner (Managing) Individual Portfolio Course Route Individual Portfolio Course Route Individual Portfolio Submission of individual portfolio covering 5 of the competencies. (This must include the 4 core competencies). Attend a IHE course and successfully complete assignments / assessments to Foundation Level. Submission of individual portfolio covering 8 of the competencies. (This must include the 4 core competencies). Attend a IHE course and successfully complete assignments / assessments to Practitioner Level. Submission of individual portfolio covering ALL 12 of the competencies. The Course Route A structured training programme will deliver the skills and information required to become an Asset Management Professional and there will be the ability to advance to a Professional Certificate to allow practitioners to confirm their achievements and competency. The IHE organises suitable training courses that are attractive to a wide range of candidates across the whole of the UK recognising different aspects and requirements. Delivery: It is usual that a minimum level of technical training is established comprising a number of individual subject sessions, (each with appropriate exercises, assignments and an end of course assessment) would be necessary. It will be at three levels in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF); Technician or Foundation (level 3/4) Engineer or Practitioner level, (level 4/5) and Senior or Lead or Expert/Lead Practitioner level (level 6/7) The training course will be delivered by well-known industry providers with a series of individual speakers tailored to the above competencies. Candidates will be assessed against each of the competencies through the successful completion of the study programme, assignments, and review of brought material. The training course route will consist of a series of mandatory core and specific subject modules which will relate to the IHE Asset Management Professional Certificate Competency Framework requirements. (See Competency Framework document) No maximum will be specified, but candidates should include at least 5 modules (4 being the Core modules) for minimum Foundation level or a minimum 8 modules (4 being the Core modules) for Practitioner level in their assessment documentation. This will allow an individual working in different areas of Asset Management to specialise in some of the subjects whilst ensuring they have the underpinning knowledge required by Asset Management professionals. On successfully completing the training course and final assessments, candidates will be awarded a Course Completion Certificate and an Asset Management Professional Certificate at either Foundation or Practitioner level, subject to the candidate s overall assessment (i.e. Portfolio of Evidence will be required for Practitioner levels) and an interview may be also be requested. The Individual Portfolio Route Candidates for the IHE Professional Certificate who consider that they already have sufficient skills, training and experience can apply for a Professional Certificate through the individual portfolio route. Applicants should submit a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their knowledge and experience across the identified competencies. Typically this will include approximately words for each competency with supporting evidence verified by an employer. The Portfolio of Evidence will be reviewed by an appointed IHE Asset Management Panel of professionals and applicants may be asked to attend an interview. The IHE works with its partners to ensure that the review process is robust. The candidate must be able to demonstrate that they are competent in the following areas at the appropriate standard to the level of award being sought: (See Asset Management Competency Framework document). Professional Interview The purpose of the professional interview is to ensure that assessors can reassure themselves that the candidate s knowledge covers that listed in the Competence Standards. They will ask questions about a candidates assignments and about how they have applied their Highway Asset Management knowledge in practice with reference to the submitted Portfolio of Evidence. The IHE appointed assessors make a recommendation to the IHE Highway Asset Management Steering Group and IHE s Membership & Qualifications Committee. For further information on the IHE Professional Certificates, and on how to apply and the associated IHE Quality Procedures visit the IHE website (

5 Professional Certificate in Asset Management Competency Framework Candidates must demonstrate knowledge and experience of the modules to the appropriate understands/practices/manages levels in order to be assessed at the Foundation, Practitioner or Expert/Lead Practitioner level. To obtain the award of Expert /Lead practitioner level Professional Certificate, candidates must successfully demonstrate their competence at a senior level within ALL of the following twelve modules. To obtain the award of practitioner level Professional Certificate, members must successfully demonstrate their competence within at least EIGHT of the following fourteen modules. To obtain the award of foundation level, applicants must successfully demonstrate their competence in FIVE of the following fourteen modules. The four core modules are mandatory at all levels. Competencies: MODULE 1 HIGHWAY LAW OWNERSHIP AND LEGAL OBLIGATIONS 2 GOVERNANCE AND STRATEGY 3 ASSET MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES 4 INVENTORY 5 CODES OF PRACTICE 6 NETWORK PRIORITISATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT 7 FUNDING AND LIFECYCLE 8 INSPECTING AND NATIONAL KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS COMPETENCY CONTENT Demonstrate an understanding of the legal requirement of appropriate Acts and best practice with regard to asset management and legal obligations, and show how they report on or enforce provisions of The Local Government Act 2000 and the Highway Act 1980 in regard to asset management, particularly those of Section 66. Demonstrate and understanding of the National and local requirement of Highways Asset Management policies. The candidate will be able to identify the legal aspects and principles of service provision and demonstrate the application of these issues in HAMPs or equivalent Policy. Understand how asset management strategies and policies and plans are put into practice Demonstrate an understanding of the defined ownership and arrangements of assets and the infrastructure that supports those assets either privately or publically maintained, and the agreements that surround them. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between a robust asset management plan and planned maintenance activities. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of holding and maintaining current and accurate asset database, the practice of archiving snapshots at appropriate times for robust defence mechanisms. Demonstrate an Understanding of the mechanisms behind the Codes of Practice and complimentary guidance documentation that supports them and how all relevant codes of practice apply to highways assets and infrastructure. Demonstrate an understanding of how to determine appropriate priorities for the network they are responsible for. Demonstrate an understanding of risk in terms of expectation, use and needs and the effects of their implementation on day-to-day as well as longer-term operational requirements through risk registers, risk management principles, threats, opportunities and consequences. Demonstrate an understanding of asset management strategies, policies and plans are affected by financial constraints, what the key inputs to performance indicators, baselines, benchmarks and where they can be found in the Highways maintenance contract or local authority returns. Demonstrate an understanding of how the lifecycle plan is developed, agreed, utilised and published to provide the desired service. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of asset inspection standards, the theory underpinning their frequencies and their application and the different type of condition surveys. Demonstrate an understanding of key performance indicators and the funding regime for highway assets.

6 9 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Demonstrate an understanding of different standards of asset management in terms of expectation at both national and local level. Demonstrate an understanding of asset management strategies, policies and plans are established through local stakeholders and community. 10 SUSTAINABILITY AND ASSET PRESERVATION 11 ASSET MANAGEMENT REGIME 12 NEW AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY Demonstrate an understanding of gap analysis, future demands, and actual service standards, understands where differences occur between current practice and desired practice. Demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate selection and use of materials including the consequences and misuse and the environmental and sustainability impact of decisions. Demonstrate an understanding of how effective asset management relies on asset management data. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental design and theory that establishes and governs asset management systems and can interpret the reports and plans they produce Demonstrate an understanding of how future demands on the network will require new and effective techniques to maintain a robust, safe and effective regime of surveys, assetisation and data collection. Demonstrate an understanding of how new and evolving technology must be considered for resource management and good value for money. Award of the Professional Certificate is subject to a commitment by the applicant to maintain their skill levels and to complete appropriate and structured CPD learning. CPD records may be called by the IHE for inspection at any time to ensure that records are being maintained in accordance with the standard. Further information is available from the IHE De Morgan House, 58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS. Telephone Cherrie Ouerghi on events@theihe.org