From Carpentry to Chartership: Frank Mallen’s accelerated path to building surveying success
A carpenter by trade, Frank Mallen previously went back to education after the downturn in 2010, and got a Masters in Engineering (MECI) from TUS. After gaining experience in the civil engineering sector, where he contributed to the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure, Frank realised he was more drawn to building surveying.
Frank discovered DkIT’s postgraduate programme, which offered an accelerated path to chartership—allowing him to become certified in just 1.5 years instead of the usual three-year timeline.
“With the realities of the industry and my own schedule in mind, the accelerated path was especially appealing—like managing a tight construction timeline where efficiency is key,” Frank explains.
The escalated route was one which is very appealing to many, but requires a firm commitment to the coursework and a huge drive to succeed. Frank advises that anyone interested in following this path is sure that it’s suited to them and is prepared for the hard work required to succeed.
“My advice is to ensure that building surveying is truly the right fit for you before committing, and also that you have the time required to dedicate to the study. If so then go for it, you will find the career path very rewarding. I would also say that I did have a good background in the construction industry and I realised I had a lot to learn, so be prepared for this.”
The flexible online delivery of the course was invaluable to Frank, saving him a four-hour round trip and making it possible to balance his studies with other commitments. Even still, for those looking to do the course, Frank advises that it is quite demanding and participants should be prepared to work hard if they are committing to the escalated route to chartership.
Although the course was intense for all the participants, Frank says that DkIT were flexible and supportive throughout;
“The biggest challenge for everyone was managing time constraints. DkIT were informed of the problems and were quite flexible and helped with deadlines where possible.”
A highlight of the course for Frank was the three-month placement, which he called the 'most valuable' part of the programme. By Frank’s own admission, it really opened his eyes to the true nature of the industry and resulted in him being offered a full-time position with Omega Surveying. Under the guidance of Kevin Hollingsworth, Frank flourished in his new role. The team at Omega were very focused on his development and provided continuous guidance and support on his journey to chartership. Combined with quarterly company meetings to formally assess progress and identify competencies requiring further attention, Omega was with Frank every step of the way on his journey to APC.
The Building Appraisal, Building Maintenance, Design and Specification and the Sustainability modules in the course also proved particularly useful to Frank and his learnings from these are something which he uses in his day-to-day role. Sustainability is particularly relevant in shaping modern construction practices and continues to be an area of interest for Frank and something which he wants to integrate further into his career.
“I have requested to join the SCSI Sustainability Working Group, a subject of great interest to me, and one which will definitely help me to develop going forward. Down the line, I look forward to integrating sustainable practices into more projects and continuing my professional development.”
The SCSI was also hugely supportive to Frank on his journey to chartership, particularly the Education department, guiding him through the registration process and providing ongoing CPD training tailored to the APC pathway. Frank made a mention of special thanks to Stella ‘for her unwavering support and expert guidance’ throughout the process.
Frank is flourishing in his new role and his drive and commitment have paid off as he is now managing multiple projects within Omega. After a rigorous three-year journey, he is thrilled to have settled into the next phase of his career.
“If someone is looking to become a Chartered Building Surveyor, I'd definitely recommend the Chartered Pathway at DkIT. It’s a demanding route and requires a solid commitment, but it covers all the essential skills and knowledge you'll use day-to-day. While the journey is challenging, it really pays off by setting you up for a rewarding career in building surveying. “
Learn more about the Postgraduate Diploma in Building Surveying