The RIBA has responded to the Architect Registration Board’s engagement survey on Continuous Professional Development principles.
To summarise the full response, which can be downloaded below, RIBA President, Simon Allford, said:
“It is crucial that the profession, construction sector and public have confidence and trust in the competency of architects. The RIBA’s globally recognised course validation programme and long established CPD system serve to maintain and improve high quality and effective competency standards, both pre and post registration.
Whilst the ARB’s plans to enhance competencies for architects are welcome, any additional requirements must support and bolster existing CPD systems.
Many of the principles set out by the ARB are already reflected in our CPD system and are enshrined in The Way Ahead: the RIBA’s education and professional development framework - not least through enhanced mandatory competencies in some areas, with flexibility in others, ensuring architects can tailor their CPD to best suit their professional needs and specialisms.
Any additional requirements must support the developing range and diversity of architectural practice - encouraging a cycle of learning and development, rather than the removal of architects from the register.
We are concerned that the ARB’s current proposals for assessments and monitoring would result in the creation of separate CPD standards– which would likely lead to a lack of clarity, both for those commissioning services and the public – as to the best practice competence standards expected of architects.
The ARB must work in close partnership with all UK architectural professional bodies, to harmonise and build on existing CPD requirements and provisions – to avoid confusing and unnecessary duplication and ensure that we are most effectively and efficiently supporting architects and the services they provide to society.”
