Feedback holds clues to better CPD

Survey results demonstrate the value of credible manufacturer and supplier-based CPD seminars, by revealing that 96 per cent of attendees would specify providers’ products or services in future.

The RIBA CPD Providers Network is made up of manufacturers, suppliers and service providers to the construction industry, all of which are committed to best practice and raising standards by sharing their knowledge and expertise with specifiers. RIBA CPD Providers offer information in a variety of formats, pitched at general, detailed and advanced levels. While the short seminar is the most popular format, RIBA CPD is also available online, at  Roadshows and via NBS TV.

All those who access RIBA CPD are asked to complete a short quality assurance survey, and this feedback is used to gauge both the effectiveness of RIBA’s CPD offering generally and individual CPDs specifically. The aggregate findings of all 2011 RIBA CPD completion questionnaires revealed that:

96% would specify the Provider’s product in future

Why? Because RIBA CPD Providers are given advice and guidance on how to deliver material that is of direct benefit to the recipient. Central to achieving this is to define clear learning aims and outcomes. This gives the architect, engineer or other specifier a reason to attend, and ultimately something of value that they can put into practice.

Learning aims indicate clearly what the attendee should expect from the seminar and often form the basis of the introductory slide in a presentation. Learning outcomes define what the attendee should know or be able to do as a result of completing your seminar.

Questionnaires also reveal that 95 per cent of attendees would recommend (RIBA approved) seminars to other architects.

96% found issues relevant to their area of specification

The ethos of CPD is to offer unbiased educational learning. If CPD material isn’t seen as a sales or marketing pitch then it is more likely to be judged on its actual value. RIBA approved CPD material must be generic and not include trade or brand names, except at the beginning where Providers can include a short introduction to their own company. As a result, respondents perceive RIBA approved CPD materials as being ‘training materials’ (offered by well-qualified Providers) and find them more relevant to their own circumstances as a consequence.

99% consider presentations to be professionally and clearly structured

RIBA shares information with members of the RIBA CPD Providers Network about what works best. The most popular CPD format is the short seminar, usually no more than one hour, held at a specifier’s office.

Typically, this will include a short, interesting title that gets the central point across. Learning outcomes will be clearly stated at the start (i.e. why is the attendee there), and main learning points summarised at the end. Use of good quality illustrations, graphics and photography in support of case studies is a recurring theme in all support documentation. As a consequence, survey results show that 95 per cent find RIBA CPD Provider speakers engaging.

More information about the how the RIBA CPD Providers Network can help drive new business enquiries.

 

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