New CPD access for hardware trade
31st January 2017

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers and its sister organisation, the Institute of Architectural Ironmongers have launched new ways to access CPD (Continuing Professional Development) for architectural ironmongery professionals.

In response to feedback from members, they are now introducing a more flexible programme that gives learners more control over how they gain CPD points, and starting a new process where different methods of learning will be introduced on a regular basis to meet the needs of their membership worldwide.

Rachel Tipton, the GAI’s manager of education, said: “CPD is the single most important way in which we each develop and enhance our abilities, and set ourselves apart as architectural ironmongery professionals. In an industry like ours where standards are changing all the time, to neglect CPD is to neglect the needs of our customers, our career development and individual status in the industry.

“However, we recognise that CPD is also about a personal and bespoke professional journey, and the same programme of CPD obviously does not provide the same fit for everyone. That’s why the GAI and IAI have listened to the concerns and suggestions of its members on the issue of CPD point collection, and have decided to introduce new ways of collecting points in 2017. Our CPD learning will be structured to meet the individual developmental and personal learning needs of all of our members.”

Under the rules of the new scheme, Registered Architectural Ironmongers will still be required to gain or maintain their RegAI status over a one calendar year period, and during this time each individual must still collect 10 CPD points which are to be recorded on a log sheet. But now, some of those points may be gained through additional routes, such as personal knowledge, development at trade shows and exhibitions, reading industry related articles, and learning via Guild and Institute approved podcasts and videos from trade bodies including the RIBA and BSI.

http://www.gai.org.uk/education-4/the-education-hub