Fisher German’s dedicated graduate training programme is continuing to support our clients gain the knowledge and experience they require to pass professional qualifications. Graduates are a hugely important part of the firm, and our training programme supports them as they work towards professional qualifications. It not only provides graduates with technical training and business skills, but also a full mock Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) interview and paperwork reviews to ensure they are in the best possible position to pass the exam.
As well as offering the programme to our graduates within Fisher German, we also extend it to our clients, helping them to develop their own members of staff. Fisher German has successfully supported clients who have colleagues working towards their APC exams, welcomed them to our graduate training days, and our sector away days. We have also provided placement opportunities, giving clients the opportunity to gain knowledge from experts working across our sectors.
Fisher German partner Ruth Ofield, who leads the Graduate Team, said: “At Fisher German we generally have around 50 graduates at any one time, so it is essential that we provide a programme which fully supports them as they look to progress. “Many of our clients have smaller groups of graduates going through the process, so it is excellent that we are able to offer them a dedicated team which they can call upon. This additional service has supported a number of our clients and we have received some extremely positive feedback.
Not only have we presented to APC candidates about the process, we have also provided both formal and informal paperwork reviews as well as mock APC interviews. A number of us across the firm are RICS assessors and chairmen, so we are able to give the candidates an assessor’s perspective, mirror the process and provide a very robust test for candidates ahead of the official exam.
We are also very happy to welcome our clients into the business on secondments, fully integrating them into our teams so that they can gain knowledge from our pioneering experts.The diversity of the firm means we are able to provide experience across a wide range of sectors, and our ISO 9001 quality management system accreditation demonstrates that we have a consistency of quality across the business. This means that we are very transparent, trusting in our teams across the business, and we are confident that our clients will have a positive experience in any of our 25 offices.
It is fantastic that our passion for professional development is supporting our clients, and that we can do this while demonstrating the strong values that Fisher German holds.”
Speaking about the support offered by Fisher German, Aaron Waters, Major Projects Senior Surveyor at UK Power Networks, said: “Ruth and her team at Fisher German supported me through the APC process, reviewing my submission, critiquing where necessary and providing guidance. In addition, Ruth held a mock interview board for me that was as close to the real thing as I could have expected. “There is no doubt in my mind that this fully prepared me for the final assessment which I sat in November 2019, and successfully passed via the Land and Resources pathway, at the first attempt. I cannot thank Ruth and Fisher German enough for their support during the APC process.”
Michael Monksfield, Major Projects Senior Surveyor at UK Power Networks, added: “The support Ruth and her team at Fisher German provided me throughout the APC process was second to none. Reviewing my APC submission helped me prepare for the potential questions that could be raised, and providing valuable advice ensured I was able to fully prepare for the big day. In addition, the mock interview provided an excellent example of what the interview would feel like on the day. Without the help of the Fisher German team, I don’t think I could have passed my APC first time. Thank you.”
National Grid’s APC candidates also received support from Fisher German partner Seb Kingsley. Rob Govier, of National Grid, said: “Seb was more than happy to attend and contribute his extensive knowledge to National Grid through a presentation to all our APC candidates. The view ‘through the eyes of an assessor’ proved incredibly valuable in further their understanding the process, interviews and general pitfalls as well as helping determine pathways and competency choices. The evaluation of and review of a candidates submission documents and subsequent identification of potential questions and areas to improve were instrumental in a candidate passing the APC.”
John Telford, of Hafren Dyfrdwy, Welsh subsidiary of Severn Trent Water, is also currently studying to undertake his APC and is receiving support from Fisher German. He said: “I initially identified a number of competencies, outside my normal remit, where I needed to gain experience and Fisher German was able to suggest a number of ways in which I could get an insight into their activities in order to increase my understanding. Cameron Coley-Smith and his colleagues at Fisher German have been very helpful in sharing their skills, knowledge and experience, both in the APC process and in the application of relevant competencies in their work, for which I am very grateful.”
To find out more about our graduate programme, click here. Or if you’re interested in finding out more about how we can support our clients’ graduates, don’t hesitate to contact Ruth Ofield.
