The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has introduced a new model for the continuing professional development (CPD) of Registered Architectural Ironmongers (RegAIs) and others working in the architectural ironmongery sector.
The changes have been designed to ensure the annual CPD requirements for architectural ironmongery professionals remain in line with those for other professionals in the construction and comparable industries.
GAI Chief Executive Simon Forrester said: “GAI courses and qualifications are recognised around the world as setting the highest possible benchmark for knowledge and understanding in the architectural ironmongery sector.
“As the construction industry continues, in the wake of the UK’s new Building Safety Act, to address the critical issue of professional competence, it is vital that we continue to set an equally high benchmark for the ongoing learning and assessment of RegAI and other registered and certified specialists in our field.
“Importantly for standards throughout our sector, we are also opening our CPD programme to non-accredited members for the first time, in order that they can build and maintain vital skills and knowledge regardless of their intention to become fully registered professionals.”
The changes increase not only the amount of CPD activity required every year, but also the quality and amount of assessment involved. Three core topics, of which at least one will be based on an update to standards and regulations, will include compulsory coursework. The requirement for 20 CPD points a year can then be completed via a wide range optional CPD activities ranging from GAI Community Hub presentations, webinars and online quizzes through to creating training material or presenting to industry audiences.
To support the new programme, the GAI is also launching new CPD facilities on its Learning Hub, enabling online assessments and the automatic logging of CPD activity on the GAI website through the individual member’s profile.
For more details on the GAI’s new CPD model and resources, visit www.gai.org.uk/CPD