Candidates will need to satisfy the NCAQS that they have received sufficient professional training and experience by meeting the requirements set out in Annexure A and B respectively.

The APC programme comprises of the following:

• Work Experience
• Interim Submissions
• Annual Submissions
• Continued Professional Development
• Final Assessment

3.1 WORK EXPERIENCE

Architectural candidates must work fulltime in Namibia, under the direct supervision of an Architect registered with the NCAQS for a minimum period of 24 months. Quantity Surveying candidates must work fulltime in Namibia under the direct supervision of a Quantity Surveyor registered with the NCAQS for a minimum period as stipulated in the NCAQS Registration Matrix for Quantity Surveyors (Annexure C).

The minimum duration of the training period of an Architect/ Quantity Surveyor in-training is based on the candidate’s qualification and the institution where the qualification has been obtained. Each application will be reviewed by the Registration Sub-committee and will be subject to Council Board approval, in accordance with Section 11(2)(b) of the Architects’ and Quantity Surveyors’ Act. However, this period will be extended if candidates have not obtained the required value units under each section as set out in Annexure A and B respectively or if interim submissions are not submitted on time.

The in-training period will be extended with 24 months if the qualification is obtained from a non-accredited institution.

A candidate may apply in writing for recognition of validated work experience prior to registration with the NCAQS but after the candidate has obtained his / her qualification. This application should be done within 3 months of Council’s notification of registration.

A maximum of (6) six months credit might be granted and will be considered on the credit of each individual application. Only experience within the immediate 12 months prior to registration will be considered.

3.2 INTERIM SUBMISSIONS

Candidates must ensure that they have their employers’ consent for disclosure of matters that feature in their reports.

Electronic submissions are not acceptable. Candidates residing outside of Windhoek must courier their signed submissions to the office of the NCAQS.

Architects in-training

1. Candidates are required to maintain a record of their training reflected on the monthly training records.
2. Candidates should start recording experience immediately after being employed as an AiT and submit their training records on a monthly basis to the NCAQS.
3. Entries in the monthly training records must describe clearly and concisely the actual work done. One hour of training is counted as one point.
4. If candidates change employment, the recording of the training is to be continued in the usual way, but there must be a clear indication to show the change, (the details of the new employment and the date must be indicated on the forms).
5. The monthly training records must be signed by candidates as well as their supervisors.
6. Candidates must obtain the total hours in each area of experience and for each section as indicated in Annexure C.
7. Training records must be submitted on a monthly basis within 2 weeks from the end of the month and must be certified by the supervisor as being the candidate’s own unaided work and a true and faithful reflection of his/her training and experience.
8. Training records must be submitted from the date of registration until such time that the applicant has completed his/her in-training period.
9. Failure to submit training records on time will lead to the extension of the candidate’s training period.

Quantity Surveyors in-training

1. Candidates are required to maintain a diary in order to maintain and justify the entries in their logbooks.
2. Candidates should start recording experience immediately after being employed as a Quantity Surveyor in-training and transfer it to the diary thereafter
3. Entries in the diary must describe clearly and concisely the actual work done. Entries in any one week must appear only on the page relating to that week. Further sections of the diary, if needed, may be obtained from the NCAQS. Where appropriate, candidates must record experience in full days or half days.
4. If candidates change employment, the diary is to be continued in the usual way, but there must be a clear indication to show the change, (e.g. a line drawn across the page together with details of the new employment and the date). The change of employment should also be entered on the first page of the diary.
5. The diary must be signed weekly by candidates and their supervisors respectively.
6. Candidates must complete a logbook to enable them to present an analysis of their professional experience in chronological order. The logbook must be signed by candidates and countersigned by the supervisors every three months. An example of the logbook can be downloaded from the website of the NCAQS (www.ncaqs.org).
7. Each time the logbook is submitted to the NCAQS, candidates must total the days spent on each area of experience and for each section by month. In addition, candidates must calculate the percentage that each sub-area forms of the grand total days.
8. Candidates must submit a logbook comprising of diary and summary sheets, within one month of completing three months of recorded professional training experience for the full in-training period, to enable Council to make an assessment of the candidate’s progress. Examples of the diary and summary sheets can be downloaded from the website of the NCAQS (www.ncaqs.org).
9. It is important that the diary and summary sheets be headed “Interim Inspection 1/1, …2/1, …3/1 and 1/2, …2/2, …2/3, etc.” (meaning interim inspection one of year one, etc.)
10. Summary sheets must be properly completed with the relevant area columns totalled as required. It is important that the logbook reflect the total experience recorded by candidates from the starting date of their training period until date of the interim submission for the period under review.
11. All logbooks and reports must be certified by the supervisor as being the candidate’s own unaided work and a true and faithful reflection of their training and experience.
12. Reports will be retained by the NCAQS for reference at the final assessment .
13. The logbook will be returned to the candidate accompanied by advice on whether the professional training and experience described appear to be satisfactory.
14. Any corrections to the logbook must be resubmitted within one month of being requested to do so. The guidance given should be strictly observed. Failure to do so before final submission may result in a requirement to obtain further experience.
15. Failure to submit logbooks on time will result in that quarter’s logbook and training period being disregarded and will lead to the extension of the candidate’s in-training period.

3.3 ANNUAL SUBMISSIONS

Candidates must submit the following to the NCAQS within one month of having completed one year of recorded professional training:

1. A typewritten Annual Project Report of at least 2,000 words, on a project with which they have been involved for at least 20 working days. The report must include a detailed description of the project, a full description of their involvement and responsibilities and an analysis of the experience and knowledge gained as a result of their involvement.
2. Candidates must submit a further typewritten Annual General Report of at least 2,000 words, providing a resume of ‘other’ work areas in which they have been involved during their training period to date, for example, but not limited to, research, development and lecturing, Institute and Council involvement, etc.
3. Written proof of at least 6 (six) hours of CPD attendance
4. Any correction to the annual report must be resubmitted within one month of being requested to do so. The guidance given should be strictly observed, as failure to do so before final assessment date may result in a requirement to obtain further experience.

CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

In addition to the required training period and experience obtained as part of their normal work, candidates must undertake continuing professional development of at least six (6) hours annually structured education and training. The education and training as defined should either relate to the work of the Architect or Quantity Surveyor as detailed in Annexure A and B respectively or be designed to develop candidates’ management skills.

This may consist of:

• courses or technical meetings organised or accepted by NCAQS
• special courses or training organised by or on behalf of employers
• research or postgraduate studies and
• technical authorship

Written proof of attending courses must be handed in together with the annual report submissions.

3.5 FINAL ASSESSMENT

Candidates must submit the following to Council within one month of having completed the professional training period in accordance with their route to registration:

1. A full record of the in-training period. Quantity Surveyors must ensure that their logbook is properly completed with percentage calculations and that the final summary sheet is included.
2. A Final Project Report of at least 2,000 words.
3. A Final General Report of at least 2,000 words.

The supervisors must certify all reports as being the candidates' own unaided work and a true and faithful reflection of their training and experience.

Candidates must submit proof of employment as well as a summary of work done during the period between completion of the in-training period and the APC, or between APC’s, whatever the case might be. This needs to be submitted prior to each APC until the candidate passes the APC and registers as a professional Architect or Quantity Surveyor.

3.6 ALTERNATIVE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Candidates may offer full time research or teaching towards their professional experience.

One month credit for every two months’ experience for full-time research or teaching in Architecture/ Quantity Surveying to a maximum of 6 months will be considered on written application from the candidate.

Candidates may offer experience of original research activities, for a period of a maximum of one year, towards their professional experience. This work must be of benefit to the Architectural/ Quantity Surveying profession or the construction industry and should preferably relate to at least one of the areas of experience within the principal areas set out in Annexure A or B respectively. It may comprise one of the following:

1. research, at an academic institution for a single project undertaken mainly by candidates themselves but under direction and supervision of a registered Architect/ Quantity Surveyor, with the report on the research being the candidate’s sole work; or
2. research carried out as part of a team in a recognised research department of a private firm, company, government department or local authority, in which candidates, under direction of a registered Architect/ Quantity Surveyor, are mainly responsible for research projects and for reports to clients or their employer

If candidates wish to offer such a period of research, they must submit for prior approval, a detailed synopsis of the research project and the name of the supervisor. Candidates may be called for an interview before the proposals are accepted.

The research must commence after candidates have obtained their degree or recognised qualification. Such research may be for the attainment of a higher degree solely by research or may form part of a syllabus for an advanced degree with a research component. Research submitted for assessment in an undergraduate course or a postgraduate diploma course is not acceptable.

If the research activities take the form of a single research project undertaken at an academic institution under (a) above, candidates must prepare and submit with their application for final assessment a Research Report not exceeding 3,000 words of the research which will be assessed in lieu of the monthly practical training record forms for that period. If the research is not complete, a suitably detailed progress report of the research to date must be prepared and submitted.

If the research is undertaken as part of a team under (b) above, and recorded on a report form, it should form part of the Research Report.

The Research Report must be signed by the promoter, certifying that it is the candidate’s own work.

Candidates may be questioned at the final assessment on the research work undertaken, the relevant experience gained and its relevance to professional practice.