CIAT CPDs and Communications

1 CPD… and how you can do it!
2 Activities that can count towards annual CPD requirements
3 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] CPD… and how you can do it!

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) conjures up images of having to attend a paid for course or seminar and being talked at. Not only is this a drain on time and resources, but how sustainable is it to find the right events, book your space and re-arrange your schedule accordingly several times throughout the year to meet the Institute’s annual requirement1 of a minimum of 35 hours?

This out-dated assumption of what CPD is makes you an unenthusiastic actor in your own professional development. Would you be as reluctant to act if the possibility of a promotion was there? The answer to that is probably no. CPD is not intended to be an add-on to an already busy workload; it is meant to develop your skills and help you perform better in your current role or enable you get to the next level of your career. In effect, if you learn something new, it is developing you professionally. Paid for courses/seminars are just a few of the ways in which you can develop yourself professionally, and in most cases you can direct your own learning and development to suit your ambitions. Best of all, the majority of these activities do not require much, if any, financial investment on your part.

[edit] Activities that can count towards annual CPD requirements

Activities that can count towards your annual CPD requirements include:

[edit] Research

If you are having to look into specific materials or techniques for project(s) that you or your practice is working on, this counts as CPD. The key is to keep track and log the time you spent researching. This can be done on your own CPD record that can be accessed within the ‘My CIAT’ member login area of the website. Reading up on existing and upcoming regulations also counts as CPD, as this will help you and your colleagues ensure any projects are compliant with the latest requirements, rather than having to make revisions at a later stage.

[edit] Online resources

All members and affiliates have access to CIAT’s Technology Network, which is a directory of members and affiliates willing to give guidance to other members and affiliates. Its main aim is to put members and affiliates, with experience in different areas, in touch with each other for guidance and support. Some members or affiliates who work in isolation benefit from contact with others in their field, as do newly qualified members experiencing teething problems. If you are not the one seeking advice, why not register the areas/topics that you would be willing to advise others on instead? Mentoring is also a form of CPD. The Building Safety Act 2022 is at the forefront for those that work on projects in England and Wales, and therefore you may find the information listed on the Building Safety Hub relevant on our website. CIAT’s AT Weekly e-newsletter is another online resource that can keep you up-to-date with relevant information relating to the built environment, as well as the Institute’s activity nationally and internationally.

The AT CPD Register lists a range of learning opportunities that have been assessed by CIAT and deemed professionally beneficial to Architectural Technology professionals. Similarly, our CPD Catalogue can also help you, whether this is watching the Wessex Region’s CPD in 43 or looking up relevant information when researching products or methods for your projects. Though please note that this content has not been assessed by the Institute.

[edit] Professional qualifications

There are several benefits to progressing your membership; Chartered status in particular, is a mark of an individual’s commitment to upholding professional standards. Some professional qualifications can also denote a specialism within a particular area.

[edit] Chartered Architectural Technologist, MCIAT

Becoming a Chartered Architectural Technologist does not happen overnight, but you can build steps into your professional development plan to help you obtain this status.

If you do not have much practical experience, you could refer to CIAT’s Professional Standards Framework and speak to your employer about gaining experience in the areas in which you need to develop, mapped to our standards. Keep a record of this experience as this will save you a lot of time when you are in a position to complete the application process to become a Chartered Member.

For those of you that are closer to submitting, do not forget that attending the Membership Progression sessions or the MCIAT Short Course offered by the Membership Department also count as CPD, as you will be given advice as to how best structure your application form and portfolio. If necessary, you can use the Mentor Match Me service to be mentored by a Chartered Architectural Technologist prior to submitting your application form, or before sitting your interview.

[edit] Fellow Membership

Chartered Architectural Technologists are eligible to apply for Fellow Membership FCIAT. Fellow Membership complements the ‘Chartered Architectural Technologist’ professional qualification and is an acknowledgement of significant contribution to and/or excellence in Architectural Technology.

A selection of FCIAT FAQs can be found at: https://architecturaltechnology.com/joining/fellow-membership-fciat/fellow-membership-faqs.html and/or watch a video recorded workshop at: youtube.com/ciatechnologist

[edit] Chartered Environmentalist

Chartered Architectural Technologists who have specialised in environmental issues may choose to ‘badge’ their competence by becoming a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv). This qualification demonstrates your commitment to environmental best practice and a high degree of expertise within the sector.

Reflecting on your experience to date and deciding how you want to continue evolving your skills within this area, count towards your CPD hours as does undergoing the application process to become recognised.

Being registered as a Chartered Environmentalist sets you apart from others working in this field. It establishes proven knowledge, experience and commitment to professional standards, and enhances employability.

The application process consists of submitting a written application which requires you to address the competency statements by demonstrating how you have developed the breadth of knowledge through your work and engaged in sustainable management of the environment jointly with a portfolio of supporting evidence. This is then followed by a professional interview carried out by Chartered Environmentalists.

[edit] Conservation

The Institute runs a register for Conservation professionals which is available for Chartered Architectural Technologists wishing to demonstrate that they are competent in the conservation of historical buildings and their surroundings. You have a choice being assessed as either a CIAT-Accredited Conservationist or a CIAT-Recognised Conservationist. CIAT-Accredited Conservationists are practitioners that take the lead in managing renovations, restorations and play an important part in preserving and conserving the heritage of buildings for future generations. They are recognised by grant/fund aided bodies such as Historic England, Historic Scotland, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Cadw (Welsh Government historic environment service) and the Heritage Lottery fund. CIAT Accredited Conservationists are also eligible to undertake work as a Quinquennial Inspector.

CIAT-Recognised Conservationists on the other hand are those that have the appropriate knowledge and skills but who do not practise in conservation and instead have demonstrated their competence through the use of case studies.

As part of the application process for either option, you will be assessed and accredited against a set of competences via a written submission and supporting portfolio demonstrating experience in conservation followed by a professional review interview by CIAT-Accredited Conservationists.

Researching, applying and/or sharing these techniques on projects or with colleagues counts as CPD, as does the process of being recognised for your knowledge and expertise in this area.

[edit] Principal Designer Register

Launching in May last year, the Principal Designer Register was developed by the Institute and its Principal Designer Competency Steering Group. It is open to all Chartered Architectural Technologists working in industry and running projects from inception to completion.

Although being on the Register is not mandatory, it is advisable as it allows clients, duty-holders and other stakeholders to check through a publicly available Register as to whether the professional/s working on a particular building have been deemed competent.

Understanding what is required to Register as a PD counts towards your 35 hours of CPD. For those that are successful in getting onto the Register, they are required to fulfil CPD requirements specifically relating to the Building Safety Act. Details are provided to the relevant members.

[edit] Engaging with the Institute

The Institute would not be in the strong position that it is in without the continued support of its valued members and affiliates. Therefore, any time that you dedicate towards CIAT activity counts towards your CPD hours.

This involvement includes, but is not limited to:

Being a part of the local Regional/Centre Committee or aspirATion;
Sitting on any Group, Committee, Taskforce, Board or Panel;
Providing views on a consultation;
Submitting articles to AT Journal, aspirATion magazine and/or;
Representing the Institute at meetings or events.

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and achieve the minimum 35 hours of CPD, and please remember, the 35 hours are across a twelve- month period. Sometimes discussions with a colleague or mentor can inform or inspire you on how to progress with current and future projects and can be far more productive and beneficial to your career than an impersonal course or seminar.

Members and affiliates are also encouraged to send information about any upcoming CPD events to the Communications and Education Departments so that these can be promoted as appropriate.

For further information as to what constitutes as CPD, please contact the Education Department on education@ciat.global

Notes:

1. All members (excluding student members) and affiliates are required to undertake a minimum of 35 hours CPD every year as stated in the Code of Conduct:

“Clause A7: Continuing Professional Development: The members (excluding student members) shall:
- A7a) keep themselves informed of current practices and developments appropriate to the type and level of their responsibilities; and
- A7b) be able to provide evidence that they have complied with the requirements for continuing Professional development (CPD) as published by the Institute from time to time.”
“Clause B7: Continuing Professional Development: Affiliates shall:
- B7a) keep themselves informed of current practices and developments appropriate to the type and level of their responsibilities; and
- B7b) be able to provide evidence that they have complied with the requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) as published by the Institute from time to time.”