Reports that the RIBA and RIAS have made bids to take the lead role in delivering CPD as part of the shake-up of the Architects Act ('RIBA and RIAS make bids for lead competency role' AJ 26.01.21) have left many in the industry feeling very concerned. The RIBA has a clear commercial interest in the delivery of CPDs, which is totally at odds with it being able to independently regulate the quality and relevance of such content. Unless it is willing to give up the commercial benefits of this suggested position of authority, the new proposal is a very dangerous one. The RIBA sells millions of pounds-worth of 'accreditation' services to companies (mainly building product manufacturers), who believe they need to have their CPD deemed fit by the RIBA for consumption by architects. At the same time, the RIBA attempts to create demand for this and, by extension, its accreditation service, by attempting to force their architect members into engaging only in 'RIBA-approved' CPD. The single balance keeping this system in check is that, no matter how hard the RIBA tries to sell ideas to the contrary, the fact is that no architect is required to engage with RIBA-approved CPD content at all.
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