Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Skills Assesment - AACA

Disclaimer: I am NO FINAL AUTHORITY on AACA assessments. I only intend to help others like myself. My below post should be in no way considered the final say on positive or negative assessments outcomes.   I can speak from personal experiences, AACA might have other parameters to consider as well, that frankly, I might not be aware of. 



What is Skills Assessment? 

 ‘A skills assessment should not be confused with licensing or registration. A skills assessment helps you to determine whether your skills and experience is relevant to Australian standards in your nominated occupation while registration or licensing means you hold a license or registration and have permission from the relevant authority to practise in Australia’.

What did I do? 


My below post is only with regards to assessments for Migration purposes only. AACA conducts other assessments in order to practice as an Architect and use the title of Architect in Australia.
I have had a lot of queries on AACA skills assessment for migration purposes.
As most of the enquirers may know, it is one of the hardest professional bodies to get positive assessments for migration purposes.
When I heard of this, naturally, i was worried and embarked on a search of what it was the AACA was looking for.
First things first,

1)  Read the requirements on the form itself. From what I gathered, they look for 4 core subjects of learning - History, Communications, Technology and Design.
2) Ask yourself if you were these 4 subjects were in your course? Maybe, there were called differently, but still catered to these 4 streams.
3) Do a little background search from past students of your own University based in Australia and currently practicing there. they had to have gone through this step for them to be practicing there now.
A good place to start would be social networking sites. I contacted quite a few of them through Facebook and Linked. All of them replied in the affirmative, and i took courage from that fact.
4) All  I submitted were my CERTIFIED Copies of Mark Sheets of every semester of my B.Arch course. In my case, these were 10 mark sheets for 10 semesters. That's all - I did not include registration to any country. It was not required and I did not see the need.
5) The form itself also asks a few questions that should be an indicator of what they are looking for such as
studying the core subjects mentioned above, Preparation of a Thesis, Practical work experience during the 5 year course and the length of course itself (ideally 5 years)

In my opinion, if you have had positive replies to all my 5 points above - the chances of you getting through is rather good.

For your further information, please find below the list of subjects mentioned in my Marks sheets (all 10) and not in any particular order :

Technical English, 
History of Architecture (all semesters)
Structures (all semesters)
Graphics (all semesters) 
Design (all semsters) 
Priniciples of Architecture
Modern Architecture
Building Construction (all semesters)
 Professional Architecture
Interior Design 
Climatology
Computer Programming
Computational Practice
Computer Applications in Architecture
Applied Mathematics
Free hand drawing & rendering
Architectural Model Making
Surverying & Levelling
Architectural Photography
Sociology
Estimation
Building Services 
Building Specification
Building Economics
Working Drawings
Architectural Seminar
Architectural Acoustics
Human Settlements
Professional Practice
Urban Design
Landscape Architecture
Principles of Building Conservation
Structures Thesis
Building Technology & Management
Architectural Theory & Research (recent trends)
Rural & Traditional Architecture
Advanced Structures



I hope this helps all of you'll in any way. I do really wish you'll the very best!!!


17 comments:

  1. Hi,
    Ur blog really good and active, actually im a regular reader of ur blog and on dec i thought u may not update ur blog. Today i am happy to read again.
    I have already applied for ACS assessment and my result might take 40 more days to come. Keep updating your blog.
    Regards
    Tina

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    1. Hi Teena,
      That is so good to hear! i am glad my posts are helping peope out there.
      All the best on your assessment :)
      keep me posted.
      Yup, i intend to chronicle the entire phase of moving to Australia (and later also - Insha Allah) as it happens - meaningful really - and so don't just keep posting unless i feel it will help others.
      Will definitely keep posting as things happen:) thanks for the encouragement!!

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  3. Hi there, I followed u from a forum :)
    My assessment from AACA came in yesterday in about 5 weeks and in the negative! I am stunned. Do I appeal? U know of ppl who have had success with appealing?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Anon,
      I am really sorry to hear that. I am not sure about appeals at AACA and how it works. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that an appeal wont really help unless you had "new" information that you previously did not submit. Would you like to look at the ciourse duration/ subjects studied etc. from my post above and see what was different from your course? Whatever you decide - i wish you all the best!

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  4. Hey Hugh,
    I will be sending my documents for Assessment to the AACA next week. Few questions I have in mind:
    1) Completed my BARCH from Mumbai University (Bharti Vidyapeeth) having completed all 10 semesters the subject Communications or Technical English is not mentioned (or even similar) among the subjects on the mark-sheets (although the entire course was in English)Also I have completed my MARCH from University of Sydney in 2005.....will it pose a problem that I don't have communications listed in any of the semesters??? Any information would be appreciated.
    2) Which university did you complete your BArch from...was it a listed university according to AACA??
    3) Did you submit your work related documents...as AACA clearly mentions against sending it on Form M???

    Your revert will be appreciated!! Thanks

    Apprehensive Architect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nerissa,
      Sorry for the delay - was Down Under validating my Visa :)
      No idea about Mumbai University - but am assuming that if your course has been approved curriculum wise by COA, India - it should be about the same as mine and go well. I can't judge on behalf of AACA if it will be positive or not - but am hoping for the best :)
      I did not submit any work related documents - it was not required...All the very best!! Do keep us posted on the result!

      Delete
  5. Hey Hugh,
    I will be sending my documents for Assessment to the AACA next week. Few questions I have in mind:
    1) Completed my BARCH from Mumbai University (Bharti Vidyapeeth) having completed all 10 semesters the subject Communications or Technical English is not mentioned (or even similar) among the subjects on the mark-sheets (although the entire course was in English)Also I have completed my MARCH from University of Sydney in 2005.....will it pose a problem that I don't have communications listed in any of the semesters??? Any information would be appreciated.
    2) Which university did you complete your BArch from...was it a listed university according to AACA??
    3) Did you submit your work related documents...as AACA clearly mentions against sending it on Form M???

    Your revert will be appreciated!! Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi,

    Thank your valuable information in this site.
    I am also from Kuwait,Please tell me where did you do your certificate attestation.

    Prad

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pradie,
      I certified my docs. with Australian Consulate in Kuwait. It was quite pricey as they charge per document, but that was the only option for me. All the Best!!

      Delete
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    1. Hi Sara,

      I paid by cheque. All the best with your assessment.

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    1. Hi Sara,
      Sorry, did not see this earlier. It was Architects Accreditation Council of Australia. The payment details should be on Form M itself.

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