News
Get ready for the new Pathway
25th September 2006
The first stage in the launch of the Pathway to Chartership kicks off this week with the publication of the new Guidebook to the Pathway.
Available in the PPE Resource Centre (http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/members/ppe_resource_centre/) in the Members’ Area of the LI website, the new definitive Guidebook is in two sections: Guidebook introduction, contents and the Pathway process - step by step guidance on what to do when - and the Guidebook Toolkit – tips for Candidates and their Mentors on how they can get the most out of the system. Best of all, it’s written in a plain English, straightforward style.
“The aim is to help Candidates and Mentors get familiar with the Pathway and to encourage people to make some early preparations before going online with the IT system,” said Sue Beard, the LI’s Director of Education and Membership.
The Guidebook – split into two downloadable PDFs - has a wealth of authoritative guidance and support on the Pathway and how it will work. The LI is asking Associate members and their Mentors to read the Guidebook thoroughly ahead of the IT launch. A pilot group of Associates and their Mentors are in the throes of testing the online software which has been developed following Council’s decision in March to abolish the written examination.
Early designs for the system were unveiled at the successful Pathway to Chartership Roadshows which toured the LI branches in the spring. “We want to launch the IT side of things with the minimum chance of glitches once candidates start,” said Sue. “So there’s still a bit more to do on testing and adjusting the software.”
With the publication of the Guidebook this week, Candidates now have the time and wherewithal to get a feel for how the system will work and to think carefully about who to choose as their Mentors. Candidates and Mentors should also talk about how they would like to work together and may wish to begin to talk about Candidates’ aims and objectives.
The Pathway is based on the PPE Development Pack pro formas already being used by Associate members to record their experience. These are also available in the PPE Resources Centre of the LI website. Within the Pathway, Associates will be able to record and submit their Packs online and Candidates and Mentors will receive regular feedback from a Supervisor, who will review progress on a quarterly basis. Progression to the second stage, the oral examination, is on the basis of the Candidate’s demonstration of their readiness to become chartered.
The LI is advising Associates to continue to record their experience using the PPE Development Pack until the Pathway system goes live.
“This will be particularly important for those who feel that they may be ready to sit the oral examination relatively early, once the Pathway is launched. Supervisors may ask to see further information about what experience the Candidate had before that was recorded through the online system,” said Sue.
Supervisors for the Pathway are currently being appointed and training and induction for these key figures will begin next month. Supervisors will each oversee a portfolio of Candidates’ progress and will decide as to whether a Candidate is ready for the final, oral only, examination. “It’s important that the Supervisors provide a consistent level of assessment for Candidates and support for Mentors to ensure fairness,” said Sue. “So training for the Supervisors is the critical next step following the publication of the Guidebook as we head towards launch.”
The LI will be emailing all Associates in advance of the Pathway’s launch to tell them when they can register.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, the last written examination was held at centres in Belfast, Edinburgh, London and Manchester. 177 Associates sat the paper and those successful will go forward to an oral exam in November. The days of the old PPE will then be over. Until completion of the oral examinations, material relating to the PPE will remain on the LI website in the Members’ Area.
Source: LI
