SKILLS MAINTENANCE REVIEW DEFINES FOUR ... - PlaceMakers

Skills maintenance review reveals directionMBIE identifies four ‘categories of learning’ for LBPs to focus their activities onJust over a year ago, the Ministryof Business, Innovation andEmployment (MBIE) decided toreview the Licensed Building Practitioners(LBP) skills maintenance framework. Theirintent was to ensure the scheme wouldhelp create a credible, innovative andproductive sector without becomingoverly arduous for those involved inthe scheme.“Ongoing professional development isimportant for any professional registrationbody. It’s a way of ensuring membersare keeping up with changes andremaining professionally competent,”says LBP registrar Mark Scully.“Skills maintenance is the ContinuedProfessional Development (CPD)programme for LBPs.”While the review is not yet complete,MBIE has identified and announced four‘categories of learning’ it deems relevantto competent LBP practice.Recognition of on-the-job learning isalso a key component of the skillmaintenance review. LBPs strugglingto locate training in their area oftenalready have the resources they needto keep up to date.Aside from reading educationalmagazines such as Under Construction,or attending PlaceMakers’ industryseminars, there are various learningopportunities in day-to-day work.A simple question that LBPs lookingfor relevant activities might askthemselves is “when I’m on the jobTechincal skills& knowledgeRegulatoryknowledgeExamplesand I don’t know something, wheredo I go to find out?”Internet reasearching, as well asdiscussion with building inspectorsand other experts, can all contributeto skills maintenance learning.LBPs are encouraged to recordtheir learning activities online atwww.lbp.govt.nz. In case youare selected to have your learningaudited, make sure to keep hardcopy proof of your learning, suchas Under Construction’s ‘PROVEYOUR KNOW HOW’ coupons filedaway in a safe spot!• Understanding proposed changes to B1 (Structure)• Keeping up to date with new products and application methods• Keeping up to date with building act amendments• Construction Contract Act changes• Knowledge of Resource Management Act processOngoing professionaldevelopment is important forany professional registrationbody. It’s a way of ensuringmembers are keeping upwith changes and remainingprofessionally competent- LBP registrar Mark ScullyWorkplacesafetyProfessionaldevelopment• Understanding edge protection/scaffold requirements• Site hazard management training• CPR/first aid training• Learning how to use a new invoicing system to streamlinepaperwork• Learning how to better manage your staffLBPs are encouraged to consideractivities across these areas:• Technical skills & knowledge.• Regulatory knowledge.• Workplace safety.• Professional development.Through Under Construction, PlaceMakersundertakes to provide you with relevantindustry information. Reading its content – andproviding evidence of your understanding ofit – is a skills maintenance activity.Proof of learning from such an activity – ratherthan simply ‘participating’ – is becoming a keyrequirement for the renewal of your buildingpractitioner’s licence. Recordingyour answers to the questions at the endof each feature provides evidence of yourlearning. You can either:• Record your answers at the end of eachfeature and keep the magazine.• Collate your answers at the back of themagazine and file the coupon.3