TESTIMONIALS

(Please see Home page announcement/contact details)

Since 1999, Commercial Property Training - APC has provided APC training consultancy to candidates and employers in all sectors of the commercial property market.

Then trading as Austen Imber APC Training, its first client, Birmingham City Council, secured a pass rate of 13/13 over four years. The second major public sector client, Advantage West Midlands, meanwhile secured 6/6.

Open APC events were also proving a success. One led to an approach by GVA Grimley to run its in-house APC training programme. Six years later, GVA Grimley reports:

“The programme has had an immense impact not only on GVA Grimley’s APC pass rates, but the quality of graduates attracted to the business. Dedicated, specialist APC support has made a potential minefield straightforward – leaving managers to manage the business, and APC expertise to deliver the required results.

“Key to the success is Austen Imber’s ability to cover all the main commercial competencies from an applied case-surveying perspective, rather than an academic perspective that was found to typify the approach of some other in-house providers and external events. His APC tips and tactics are outstanding, and as a former APC candidate himself, he knows what candidates are facing.

“While pass rates are not everything, GVA Grimley is pleased with the 90% plus results over the last six years – but more importantly, the contribution former graduates are making to the business, influenced by Austen’s shaping of their commercial outlook as well as surveying skills.”

Over the last six years, a similar but less extensive role for DTZ for the Midlands/North region has averaged 90% plus, and often 100%, pass rates.

Now as part of Marler Waterhouse Limited, examples of successes with other clients (including those in more specialist sectors) include all 11 of Land Securities Trillium's candidates receiving Austen's final assessment support passing, and all 10 of National Grid Wireless' telecoms candidates passing.

Austen now works part-time, and in conjunction with managers and joint venture partners of Marler Waterhouse's business and training consultancy’s divisions. He is leading speaker for the open APC events, and advises companies on the setting up of in-house APC programmes. He is available on specific request to deliver other aspects of in-house training.

“Work with Austen Imber APC Training (now CPT - APC), at my previous firm produced excellent results not only in terms of pass rates but graduates’ outlook on their job roles and wider contribution to the company. We are delighted to have CPT-APC on board at Atisreal. Their willingness and flexibility to work alongside other suppliers (including their competitors) provides great benefits. Good value for money is achieved, facilitated by the informal yet still highly professional style. Austen Imber has an excellent grasp of the commercial context of a large property consultancy’s work, and works well alongside Human Resources and performance management functions. This includes mock interviews throughout the APC, which include perceptive feedback on candidates’ progress.”
Scott Kind, Atis Real, Learning & Development Director

“Austen Imber’s evening seminars for graduates in the London region have always been excellently attended, with very positive feedback from candidates. Austen also guided me through the APC. His all-round surveying and business knowledge across the main commercial pathway competencies helped not only with the APC, but in appreciating how careers can be accelerated and business skills quickly developed.”
Adejoke Abudu, RICS Matrics, London Region

Miscellaneous feedback from individual candidates includes the following (the presenter referred to is Austen Imber):

“The APC final assessment courses were excellent. We knew exactly how to present our submissions and how to exploit ways of demonstrating experience to the assessors as well as you can.”

“We always appoint Austen Imber for our mock interviews as he can cover all of the usual commercial property candidates’ competencies. Managers no longer need to be involved in the process. After a number of difficulties in the past in establishing whether candidates should sit the RICS interview or defer, Austen brokers a highly effective approach where candidates never disagree with his finding (only sometimes that they should still sit the interview anyway, and take their chance).”

“Two intensive one-on-one mock interview sessions with Austen enabled me to pass first time. Although initially intimidated by the thought of tough interview questions, his friendly, informal approach helped me settle.”

“This was the first APC course our graduates attended that was dedicated to commercial property surveyors, meaning that detailed advice was received. Previously the graduates highlighted the inappropriateness of attending with graduates from a variety of surveying areas, and receiving only general advice about the APC.”

“I attended a valuation event several years ago. This helped me understand investment valuation and its mathematics properly for the first time. Austen Imber has an ability to join everything up for candidates, and his demonstration of the links between investment, landlord and tenant, real estate management, lettings, valuation and so on was very good. I have since started investing in residential property, and although nothing to do with the event the notes and sources of information recommended by Austen were invaluable, as were his few minutes of tips at the end of the event over a pint.”

“A very down to earth presenter who captivates a graduate audience quickly.”

“Not relying on powerpoint gave the event a great edge. Good to see a presenter who can talk at length without notes while covering everything expected and keeping the structure.”

“I went on the event which covers all competencies. Hearing questions and illustrative answers changed my whole approach to interview preparation. Looking back at my first interview fail, there was too much reliance on technical learning and not enough understanding of how to be a surveyor (and show assessors this).”

“Talking like a surveyor involved in surveying meant that processes and tactics were outlined superbly.”

“Feedback on my critical analysis was harsh, but necessary – and I passed!”

“The sessions (in-house) were interactive but no-one was forced to speak. Colleagues’ outlines of casework were useful, with the presenter then helping everyone understand the issues and then giving more points to consider.”

“Good to have a trainer who has seen it and done it as an APC candidate and assessor. Another APC company’s owner and presenter was found to not even be an APC assessor.”

“Very beneficial to have a general practice (commercial property) surveyor teach us, who understood our work, and could put in into current market context”.

“An excellent half-day just with Austen ensured competencies were correct and the critical analysis covered the points assessors are looking for (my first draft being too descriptive). Nice chap.”