FAQs
What is the Āpōpō Professional Practice Programme?
The Āpōpō Professional Practice Programme is a comprehensive accreditation scheme developed by Āpōpō - Infrastructure Asset Management Professionals, the leading professional body for infrastructure asset management professionals in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This programme aims to elevate the standards of asset management practice and recognise the skills and expertise of professionals working in the field.
The programme is aligned with the Global Certification Scheme (GCS), governed by World Partners in Asset Management (WPiAM). This means that eligible applicants can gain both New Zealand accreditation and an internationally recognised certification through a single application.
Who Can Apply to the Āpōpō Professional Practice Programme?
The Āpōpō Professional Practice Programme is open to any member of Āpōpō.
Members of Āpōpō are often individuals who are actively engaged in infrastructure asset management roles in Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes professionals from various backgrounds and sectors.
What are the Benefits of the Āpōpō Professional Practice Programme?
Employers are looking for ways to identify competence of potential employees. How do they choose between candidates? The Āpōpō Professional Programme provides independent validation of competency.
When you participate in the Āpōpō Professional Practice Programme, you gain formal recognition of your skills and expertise, and enhance your credibility and employability within the industry.
Asset Management Associates and Asset Management Chartered Professionals are also entitled to use the relevant post-nominals - see the examples on the right.
Thanks to the international alignment, successful applicants can also be awarded one of five GCS certifications - from Certified Technical Specialist (CTAM) through to Certified Fellow (CFAM) - depending on their experience and competency. This global recognition increases your professional credibility both within Aotearoa and internationally, while streamlining the application process.
What Does It Cost?
There is no fee for self-assessments.
- For Āpōpō accreditation only, fees range from $200-$800+gst for the application, and $200-$300+gst per year to maintain.
- For Āpōpō accreditation plus international certification, the process is slightly more involved, which is reflected in the price: $950+gst to apply, and $300 per year to maintain.
Application fees are only collected once you have completed the form and submitted it for assessment.
Notes on Evidence
Some application forms ask for either a narrative or supporting evidence.
In the case where your potential evidence cannot be shared, take advantage of the narrative field to explain your competency in this area.
Evidence from within the last 15 years may be appropriate to include. However, evidence older than five years may need additional narrative to explain how your skills remain current.
Applications are likely to include a mix of both narratives and supporting evidence.
Asset Management Associate
For aspiring professionals who have commenced a career in asset management.
Asset Management Chartered Professional
For practicing asset management professionals who are committed to applying their expertise and experience.
How Do I Use My Post Nominals?
Post nominals are letters that appear after your name which indicate that you hold a particular position, qualification, or accreditation.
If you are an Āpōpō Asset Management Associate or Asset Management Chartered Professional, you are entitled to use post nomimals like this:
An example post nominal used by an Asset Management Associate (AMA)
An example post nominal used by an Asset Management Chartered Professional (AMCP)
Next Steps
What is Involved in an Assessment?
The assessment differs depending on the type of application:
- Self-Assessment: Your submission is not reviewed and is personal to you.
- Asset Management Associate (AMA): Your submission is reviewed by the Āpōpō Chief Executive. Two letters of support are required (speaking to your character and your intent to further your career in the practice of Asset Management).
- If you are applying for CTAM as well, your application is treated more like an AMCP application (see below).
- Asset Management Chartered Professional (AMCP):
- Your application is assessed and then moderated by Āpōpō assessors. If you are applying for international certification, your application is assessed against the specific competency requirements for your selected designation.
- Your referees are contacted.
- You complete a face-to-face interview (in-person or online) with one or more assessors.
- Additional evidence may be required.
What if I Am Not Successful?
Unsuccessful applicants may re-apply at any time.
If an applicant is not successful in their application to become an Asset Management Associate or Asset Management Chartered Professional, they will typically receive feedback from the assessors outlining areas where improvement is needed.
The feedback provided may include specific recommendations for further development or enhancement of skills and competencies relevant to infrastructure asset management.
The goal of providing feedback and support to unsuccessful applicants is to help them strengthen their skills and competencies, ultimately increasing their chances of success in future assessments and contributing to their ongoing professional development and growth in the field of infrastructure asset management.
Unsuccessful applicants may appeal the decision once only. This triggers a process of reviewing the application, overseen by the Āpōpō Chief Executive.
Unsuccessful applicants who re-apply will have their new application assessed from a clean slate, so pay the full application fee.
How Long Does An Assessment Take?
Once your application is submitted and payment received, we begin the assessment process.
Asset Management Associate assessments are typically completed within 2 weeks.
Asset Management Chartered Professional assessments are typically completed within 6 weeks, depending on the availability of referees and applicants for interviews.