(Continuous Professional Development)
CPDs
Wienerberger is committed to providing digital solutions, training and education for our customers and the wider construction industry, so delivering CPD (Continuous Professional Development) modules to architects via a digital platform seemed like a natural next step for us.
Wienerberger Knowledge Builder™ is an online library of CPD training modules which are accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and designed to enhance architects’ knowledge of clay bricks and blocks, façade systems, roofing and paving. The knowledge builder holds information for courses, non-accredited CPDs and inspirational content, including videos, case studies and blog articles.
Why CPDs are important
RIBA states that chartered architects are required to undertake a minimum of 35 hours of CPD during the year to maintain competence. This works out at around 45 minutes per week. RIBA considers this time spent on CPD learning to be crucial to maintaining qualified status and an appropriate level of expertise.
A career in architecture is one that requires life-long learning, with the industry constantly developing, new products being launched and new standards being enforced. Staying ahead of trends and product innovation is how architects maintain their competitive edge and progress in their careers.
Architects don’t just take part in CPD learning to acquire the RIBA points they need for the year. According to RIBA’s CPD Research Report 2017, 90% of 500 architects surveyed do CPDs for the enjoyment of learning, with 97% taking part to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. Architects select which modules they want to complete based on where they feel they have gaps in their knowledge, to help them with a current project or to learn more about a new product.
CPDs are a great way for manufacturers like Wienerberger to tell architects about their latest products. However, our CPD modules aren’t sales pitches, they combine product knowledge with technical information and inspiration case studies in an educational format.
Why we created Knowledge Builder
Architects are busy people, often with demanding work schedules, so we believe that CPD content needs to be easily accessible at a convenient time for the architect and user-friendly. Responding to demand from the architecture community for more online content, we have developed the Wienerberger Knowledge Builder™ portal as the online home of our CPD modules.
“Architects and designers want to benefit from the opportunities that online delivery brings. It can help those in small practices and more remote locations access CPD without travelling. It has the potential to allow learning while on the move or in the office, in between meetings. Younger professionals are particularly open to online and mobile learning, so the desire for these approaches to CPD delivery will only increase. It is important that the RIBA and members of the RIBA CPD Providers Network continue to evolve their learning provision to meet these learning expectations.” - RIBA CPD Research Report 2017
There will always be value in delivering face to face CPDs, and some architects may prefer this method. However, by making our modules more accessible online via Knowledge Builder™, we’re hoping to reach more architects than would ever be possible to meet in person.
The digital movement is not just about creating more opportunities to connect with people, it also means that customers expect to be able to access the information they need immediately.
Architects don’t necessarily want to wait until someone can visit their practice to find out more about the product they are interested in via a CPD presentation. They want to be able to find the information they need with a few clicks of a mouse or taps of a tablet.
The RIBA report states that 57% of those surveyed said that they would like to try CPD microlearning on a mobile device. This is why we ensured that Knowledge Builder™ is mobile-optimised so it looks as good on iPads and tablets as it does on a desktop computer.
The beauty of Knowledge Builder™ is that users can complete a module in their lunch hour, on their commute, or whenever they find some spare time in the office or at home. The platform is also ideal for architecture students who are yet to start practising. The module doesn’t even have to be completed all in one session, you can start the course then come back to it later when you have time. This offers the flexibility that architects need and have been asking for.
The CPDs
What is the future for Knowledge Builder?
Knowledge Builder™ is a tool we want to continually develop to provide valuable resources for the architects of today and tomorrow. We have already got some future content in development, but we would love to hear some feedback from architects who have used the portal to help steer which direction we take this resource. We’re planning on including both accredited and non-accredited modules in the future.
We want Knowledge Builder™ to be an essential tool for architects who are interested in finding out more about bricks, blocks, façade systems, pavers and roof tiles. If you have any suggestions about how we could improve Knowledge Builder™ and what subjects you would like to see covered in future CPD modules, we want to hear from you via the Contact Us page.
When new CPD modules are available we will spread the word about them. The best place to find our latest news is by following our Twitter account.
Visit the Wienerberger Knowledge Builder™ website today to start one of our CPD modules. Wienerberger are offering users the chance to win an Apple HomePod by completing a CPD module and the short feedback survey which follows.
If online learning isn’t suitable for you, please click here to find out more about booking a face-to-face CPD session with one of the Wienerberger team. Wienerberger offers complementary CPD seminars to architectural professionals keen to update their knowledge of clay bricks and blocks, roofing and paving.
