Around 4,500 people – or 25% of eligible members – have already registered their interest in adopting the new CIOB designation of Chartered Construction Manager.
The title is to be offered as an alternative to Chartered Builder, following approval by the Privy Council in October. However, contrary to first reports, members will have to choose between the two titles, and will not be permitted to use both.
Bridget Bartlett, the CIOB’s deputy chief executive, said the Institute was delighted by the response to its initial campaign, which would be followed by more publicity. “It’s not surprising, but it is reaffirming that a lot of people are positive about it. As word gets out and people start using it on business cards, numbers will continue to swell.”
“It’s not surprising, but it is reaffirming that a lot of people are positive about it. As word gets out and people start using it on business cards, numbers will continue to swell.”
Bridget Bartlett, CIOB
Bartlett added: “I also think it will be significant in motivating some ICIOB members to upgrade, now that there’s the opportunity to do the Professional Review and become a Chartered Construction Manager. I recently talked to a very senior manager at a major contractor who was ICIOB, and he said he’d just put in his PR application.”
The CIOB is inviting members to register so that it will be able to address future initiatives, services and events to the new member group. Registration is free, but a certificate confirming the new designation will be available at a cost of £25. Further information on registering will be posted to members in March alongside ballot papers for the forthcoming Trustee elections.
The CIOB has also found that the new option was being warmly welcomed in universities running CIOB-accredited degree courses. Bartlett said: “The programme leaders [at the universities] are saying there’s an excited response from students, who can see the connection between a construction management degree and in the future becoming a chartered construction manager.
“At the moment, they spend three to four years on a construction management degree and then have the option of joining the Chartered Institute of Building – this makes a better linkage between the degree and the accreditation.”
