The research examines the role of lifelong learning and the increasing emphasis on the development of transferable key skills, which formed part of the background to the educational debate emanating from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors “Agenda for Change” vision to elevate the status of the RICS qualification.

Extensive research and consultation by the RICS culminated in a series of initiatives to “reinforce the integrity and expertise of the RICS qualification” (RICS, 2003) including a proposal to introduce a mandatory postgraduate business qualification for newly qualified surveyors. The detailed proposal met with opposition from a range of
stakeholders. However there appeared to be significant support for the concept of improving the management skills of graduate surveyors. The controversial aspects appeared to be the delivery methods and the definition of the appropriate content in a ‘one size fits all’ package.
The paper is drawn from the findings of a dissertation that examined by means of questionnaires to the differing stakeholder perspectives of employers, educators and students in one UK location, across a range of surveying professional disciplines.

The paper provides an opportunity to explore and debate the difficulties in meeting the needs of a complex and wide ranging profession, whilst illustrating the importance of the vision of the RICS.