News

Ideas and innovation helping to meet the CPD demand

18-04-07 8:28 BIFM

Finding time for CPD is a challenge for the majority of facilities managers as many work long, unsociable hours so BIFM has introduced a number of new developments to make the process easier. These include online CPD recording, an online CPD questionnaire and online CPD certificates to verify attendance at regional and national BIFM events.

The regional groups have been quick to promote CPD to ensure that as many members as possible take advantage of these useful events and the online tools.

Danny McAuley, chair of the Ireland Region, has noticed an increase in attendance at CPD events. He was keen to promote online CPD recording saying,

“It is easy to create your own CPD account, if I can do it, anyone can! Many employers like to see evidence of CPD and showing the completed online CPD record could make all the difference in moving up the ladder.”

Bob Davey, chair of the North Region says that members in his region responded very positively when they found out they could download CPD certificates. Clive Hilton, chair of the Home Counties Region echoes this view saying,

“I think that the CPD programme is excellent. Since September 2006 all of our events have qualified. In March we held an event on Negotiation and this must have been the most fun you could have whilst in a learning situation and qualifying for CPD at the same time.”

When the regional chairs were asked about the current hot topics for CPD events there was one clear winner.

“Sustainability is the hot topic for 2007” said John Bowen, chair of the South West Region, “at a recent CPD event in Bristol it was standing room only. We were planning two events and a site visit on sustainable issues later this year, but we’ll need to add more to cater for the demand.”

The Scotland Region has surveyed its members asking what they would like to focus on at events. “We publicised the new online CPD developments at recent events and initial feedback has been promising”, says Hugh Henderson chair of the Scotland Region, “we’re now trying to make sure that key topics of interest are reflected in our events and our annual conference will have sustainability as its theme.”

Stuart Harris, chair of the East Region says that members in his region have been asking for CPD events and he is keen not to disappoint them, he said, “We will be running several CPD events this year, starting with ‘Sustainability in facilities’ in May”

In addition to BIFM regional and national events BIFM Training offers a comprehensive programme of FM courses mapped against the BIFM competences with a 20% discount for members. For full details please click on the link below.

Instructions on how to create an online CPD record and certificate are available by clicking the link below: