Industry insight: RIBA CPDs
The Edify team joined the recent online RIBA CPD Providers Network Forum to discover the latest insights into the construction industry and tips on delivering outstanding CPD experiences to specifiers. We’ve condensed our notes and picked out three points we found particularly interesting to share with you.
The industry has turned a corner
We heard from Adrian Malleson, Head of Economic Research and Analysis at the RIBA, who showed us that the economic data is improving. It suggests that the UK economy is slowly moving in the right direction.
While there is some conflict in the data provided by the Office for National Statistics and Construction Products Association, it’s generally agreed that the construction industry will grow in 2025.
This is supported by data from the RIBA’s research, where there are early signs of architects’ confidence returning.
The importance of case studies
Joni Tyler, Head of CPD for the RIBA, talked about the importance of using case studies in CPDs. We were really pleased to hear this, as we truly believe in the power of case studies here at Edify.
Joni explained how the RIBA look for non-commercial content in CPDs: content that shows the benefits of using your particular type of products rather than a sales pitch. The use of case studies with high-quality photos is an ideal way to do this.
Joni and the team at the RIBA recommend at least six case studies, telling “different stories with different focuses.”
In our experience here at Edify, we’ve found the most successful case studies go beyond the project facts such as location and the types of product used. We recommend you also include:
a little about how the project came about and the process,
any issues that were worked through,
why the specifier used your product,
and (ideally) a comment or two from the specifier.
For more advice on creating a great case study, have a read of our Journal post.
Be flexible in your approach
The RIBA and NBS carry out research every couple of years to find out the latest views from specifiers about CPD. In the latest research, topics include how they prefer to undertake CPD and what they want to see in future CPD delivery.
Around half of the 340 respondents were architects, with a wide range of disciplines represented in the other half, including architectural technologists, surveyors, and engineers. Respondents were from a variety of practice sizes, at varying stages of their careers and included a mix of RIBA members and non-members.
As you might expect, a key theme in the results was about being flexible in your CPD offer. In terms of the preferred ways of carrying out CPD, the results were:
Webinars - watched on demand: 79%
Webinars - watched live: 73%
In-person events at their practice: 63%
Printed CPD such as books or journals: 44%
In-person events off-site: 36%
Videos: 35%
Site or factory visits: 33%
Podcasts: 29%
In-person roadshow or similar events: 22%
When looking at the split between digital and in-person CPD formats, digital CPD is the preferred format with 94% of respondents selecting at least one type of digital CPD. More than three quarters of respondents (78%) selected at least one type of in-person CPD so this format is still important.
It is therefore vital that you offer specifiers the flexibility of a mix of online and in-person CPD.
Ready to work on your next CPD?
Whether you’re new to CPDs or already have an offer, we’ve got a package to help you build authority and credibility with specifiers.
From a comprehensive CPD campaign that gives you everything you need to hit the ground running, through to updating an existing CPD, we’re here to help. Simply get in touch and we’ll send you some more information.