EduTech, the educational arm of the Association of SA Quantity Surveyors, is playing an essential role in providing educational and technical support to ASAQS members to ensure that the standard of SA quantity surveying is in "world class", Larry Feinberg, executive director of ASAQS, has stated.

Speaking at the ASAQS national congress, Running with Horses, in Midrand recently, Feinberg said the establishment of EduTech in 2013 had not only provided much sought-after value to justify ASAQS membership, but had also ensured that quantity surveyors stayed abreast of the latest developments in a building industry undergoing rapid and unprecedented change internationally.

"EduTech's delivery of critical information and services that provides ASAQS members with the tools necessary to professionally thrive, has made it possible for South African quantity surveyors to provide a world class service. In little more than two years, EduTech has presented over 70 Continuing Professional Development training courses to ASAQS members nationwide, even to the most isolated members. EduTech is also responsible for the updating and release of  numerous invaluable technical documents containing essential up to date information for the quantity surveyor. To continue this mission, a high level programme designed to update the ASAQS repository of knowledge has already begun with 10 technical documents scheduled for phased release in 2016 and during next year," Feinberg added.

Karl Trusler, director of EduTech, said in an interview that EduTech provided the kind of service that lifted an ASAQS-accredited individual member or company above the rest - an essential reassurance of quality to the building industry at a time when an increasing number of bogus operators were emerging to compete with qualified and accredited quantity surveyors.

"When it is considered that a quantity surveyor may practice for about 40 years in his or her career in an ever developing and fast changing society, it is clear that quantity surveyors must continue their professional development to stay abreast of, and remain relevant to, the market. 

"It was with this rationale in mind that EduTech was established: to disseminate intellectual wealth to its members. The core of EduTech is double-sided with education on the one side and technical support on the other. The education side focusses on educating and interaction with quantity surveyors, the general public, contractors and other role players, as well as the training of ASAQS members. On the technical support side, the emphasis is on sharing of knowledge through Q&A technical support, product development, and the establishment of a knowledge resource centre. EduTech also opened its first dedicated training centre in Midrand last year, a much-needed facility that has already proved an invaluable facility," Trusler added.