FHWA Office of Real Estate Services Research Results:
Public Sector Real Estate Certification Needs Analysis
Appendix A: Federal Agency Interview Questionnair
Market Needs Assessment of Uniform Act Certification
Federal Agency Interview Questionnaire
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Real Estate Services, as lead agency for the Uniform Act, has commissioned a study to examine and report upon training and certification options for public sector real estate professionals and to assess the market need for the establishment of a new certification program which would have a as a focus the development of a qualified workforce to assist agencies and private sector organizations operating under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (Uniform Act). As part of this project, FHWA is seeking information from other Federal agencies concerning their sponsorship of existing training, use of existing training offerings, perceptions on the needs for additional training, and perceptions about the value of a proposed Uniform Act certification program. This survey can be completed in 30 - 45 minutes over the phone or in person. Thanks in advance for your participation in this research study.
I. Perceptions about Existing Public Sector Real Estate Training
- Does your agency currently sponsor or offer any public sector real estate specific training courses? If yes, please provide the point of contact for these courses if other than yourself.
- In addition to any courses, which may be offered by your agency, what types of other public sector specific real estate training is currently available to your staff?
- Who delivers current public sector or other real estate training (NHI, IRWA, other organizations, etc.) that your staff attends or is considering attending?
- How often is real estate training typically provided?
- What method(s) are used to deliver the current training (classroom, on-line, etc.)? Which method(s) does your staff prefer?
- How would you rate the quality of the training currently available from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) and the reason for this rating?
- How would you rate the return on investment to your organization of the training currently available from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) and what are the reason(s) for this rating?
II. Level of Participation in Current Training Offerings
- Is your agency's staff members required to attend a certain amount of public sector or other real estate specific training annually (or over some other period)?
- How many staff attended Uniform Act or other public sector real estate training in the last 12 months? What percentage of total real estate staff in your organization does this represent?
- Who approves training in your organization and what is the process for getting approval to attend a class?
- What is the approximate annual training budget of your group (if known)? What is the total number of real estate professionals that this training budget is intended to cover?
- What was the last public sector real estate course you personally attended? On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), how would you rate this course and why?
III. Agency Training Requirements
- Do the current public sector real estate training courses which are available adequately address your organization's needs? Why or why not?
- What other training courses (topics) would you like to see offered?
- How often should any new training courses be provided?
- What mediums (distance learning, classroom, etc.) are most preferable for new training courses?
- Is your agency currently planning (as an agency, jointly with other agencies or organizations, etc.) any real estate related training courses?
IV. Agency Training Requirements
- Do you think a potential public sector real estate professional certification should be education based only, experienced based or a combination of both? How much work experience should be required? Should a capstone examination be required?
- What type of courses/skills or other qualifications would you recommend be part of a professional Uniform Act certification?
- Whom do you think would be best positioned to administer this type of certification? Why?
- What is your perception on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) of the potential value of a public sector real estate or Uniform Act centric professional certification? What is the rationale for the rating selected?
- On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), how valuable do you think your agency's staff would find a public sector real estate certification? What is the rationale for the rating selected?
- On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), how likely do you think your agency's staff would be to pursue a public sector real estate certification if offered? Why?
- On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), how likely would you be personally to pursue a certification if offered? Why?
V. Wrap-up
- Are there other issues related to the availability of public sector real estate training and/or a potential Uniform Act Certification that you would like to discuss?
- Is there anyone else in your organization that you would recommend we speak with concerning this research?
