Future of CPD ‘cannot be designed in an ivory tower’

The Arb has launched a major consultation exercise to shape its approach to the new system of monitoring architects’ continuing professional development.

The move is a response to greater powers which the Building Safety Bill will hand to the Architects Registration Board to censure architects who cannot demonstrate the required competences introduced as a result of the Grenfell fire and other disasters.

Arb’s chair, Alan Kershaw, said the new CPD regime cannot be designed in an ivory tower.

Alan Kershaw  - ARB Board3

Alan Kershaw, chair of the Arb board

他鼓励所有建筑师,以及所有在建筑环境中工作的人,在这些原则被用于建立新系统之前,阅读并评论它们。

These are:

:: Improve the overall competence of the profession: The scheme will aim for an overall positive shift in the collective competence of the profession by promoting a culture of continuing professional development. It will not be about catching out individuals.

:: Tailored by architects to their own practice and needs: The scheme will encourage architects to reflect, plan, act and evaluate on their learning activities in a way that is relevant to their practice and development needs. The approach will not be ‘one-size-fits-all’.

:: Proportionate and deliverable: Arb’s research shows the majority (70%) of architects are already committed to carrying out dedicated CPD annually, so the scheme will aim to formalise and shape that learning. It should, as far as possible, avoid additional costs for architects.

:: Avoid duplication where possible: Arb intends to design a model that is suitable for all architects, and will be considering how best it can work alongside other schemes – both in terms of subject matter and logistical compatibility.

在一份作为咨询的一部分发表的论文中,Arb说:“建筑安全法案目前正在议会中进行,一旦它成为一项法案,将为Arb提供监督建筑师持续能力的权力。

Future of the Profession

“We want to introduce a scheme that supports and encourages good practice, helps to raise competence within the profession, and can be tailored by each architect to their own practice and needs… They should be able to view the time they spend on it as an investment in their development.”

The paper added: ”Attending a course is just one example of CPD. There are many other activities that can contribute to a professional’s development – some planned, some unplanned. CPD can be acquired unexpectedly through a new experience or learning opportunity as much as it can from a peer review (including feedback from a colleague or client) or identifying a particular training need and addressing it.”

The Arb’s consultation was launched in the same week as thegovernment announced a call for evidence from architects over the future of the entire regulatory system, including the future of Arb and how to improve diversity in the profession.

The new system is not expected to come into force before 2023, with the Building Safety Bill giving Arb the legal power to sanction architects who are “unable or unwilling” to meet the new requirements.

克肖说:“一旦可行,我们将专注于引入一种有效的新方案,但我们同样有决心把它做好。”

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“We have lots of ideas but this isn’t something that can, or should, be designed in an ivory tower. If it’s going to improve standards of practice across the profession, architects need to help us design something they will use and find useful.”

The move was welcomed by Judith Hackitt who chaired the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety which paved the way for the safety bill.

Arb’s policy paper setting out the principles is here, and thesurvey is here. It will close at midday on November 29.