For the first time, visitors to Ecobuild can access formal CPD opportunities by attending any official Ecobuild seminar session at the 2015 event (March 3-5 2015 at London’s ExCeL).
Organiser UBM has worked with the Construction CPD Certification Service to ensure that each of the 80+ seminar sessions are now compatible and applicable with global Continuing Professional Development principles.
The programme will be split across seven key themes, including brand new Building Information Modelling (BIM) in association with the NBS and Water sponsored by Wavin.
With the hotly anticipated speaker line-up to be announced early in the New Year, UBM can confirm that Ecobuild’s 2015 streams are as follows:
Building Information Modelling (BIM) in association with NBS – NEW for 2015!
Water sponsored by Wavin – NEW for 2015!
Building Performance sponsored by Celotex
Designing Better Buildings in association with Passivhaus Trust
Green Energy sponsored by Innasol
Refurb & Retrofit sponsored by Glow-worm
Solar City in association with SMA Solar.
Separate to the main conference which is set to stimulate debate around construction’s macro issues, Ecobuild’s seminar programme delivers practical and applied information focusing on the key issues for sustainability professionals.
Ever popular sessions on the likes of Passivhaus will also feature including an overview from the University of Leicester Centre for Medicine on scaling up Passivhaus to deliver the university’s low-carbon ambitions. With more than fifty percent of the show floor now dedicated to energy, the Green Energy stream is set to be particularly popular. Head there if you want to earn your CPD hours learning about topics such as energy storage, the ERP, Benefitting from the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, community energy and integrating systems to maximise energy efficiencies. There are also some interesting case studies looking at anaerobic digestion in social housing and a retailers approach to onsite renewable from Sainsbury’s.
As with many industries, keeping up with CPD whilst working full-time in the sustainable design, construction and energy sectors, is challenging. However, the constant changes in technologies, legislation and procurement practices; and the complexity and integration of the supply chain now makes CPD vital to this vibrant sector. In a time of austerity, competition in the job market is also fierce, so employers are looking more and more at professional qualifications as well as on-the-job experience.
With emerging innovations such as Building Information Modelling hot on the agenda for the entire supply chain, there is no stronger case for keeping up-to-date with personal development. “UBM, our partners, speakers and exhibitors are all committed to raising professional standards across the sustainable design, construction and energy markets.” said Alison Jackson, Group Director of Sustainability & Construction, Ecobuild. She continues: “With so many regulations and legislation to adopt in 2015, construction professionals attending Ecobuild can top up their learning and development for the year in just three days all under one roof. What’s more, it’s completely free to attend!”
Much research has been conducted into the effectiveness of CPD in professional networks - collaboration, peer support and use of experts are all high up on the agenda. “For the profession to continue moving forward, construction professionals must keep talking and learning from one another” adds Jackson.
