by Alan Nelson
The recent CPD Forum meeting included a briefing from the retiring Chair, Joni Tyler of RIBA, about their efforts to help members suffering from the effects of the recession.
This is a difficult time for architects. They are experiencing intense pressure from clients for reductions in fees, projects are being suspended, jobs are not coming in and they are finding finance difficult to secure.
Interestingly it is also a time of great creativity. Many of them are being highly innovative – RIBA is seeing lots of start ups as displaced people try something new.
To help, RIBA has established a free toolkit on how to survive and what to do if you find yourself out of work. The Chartered Management Institute have done the same and although both admit that the term “Toolkit” is a bit grand for a collection of useful information and tips, it does sound like a useful service and just the sort of thing I would expect my professional body to do to help.
RIBA have also run a range of events on a variety of related topics:
- How to attract new clients
- Employment law
- Survive and prosper
- Getting new qualifications
- Reskilling courses
I was curious about why the take up of these has varied so significantly from region to region with high attendance in the North West but very little interest in the South West. Answers on a postcard!
The good news is that overall, RIBA – and other attendees from other professional bodies - feel the trends are starting to look more positive – workflow seems to be picking up.
Among contributions for the floor was one from Engineers Ireland, who are offering reduced membership fees to unemployed members (250 Euros reduced to 35 Euros) and reduced prices on training courses. They are starting to wonder whether they should check that people applying really are unemployed!
Another suggestion was that unemployed members could be encouraged to contribute time to their professional body in return for free or reduced membership/other services – contribute articles, take part in conferences etc. This seems to be to be an excellent idea. A lot of members would I think be prepared to use the spare time they suddenly have to help and they might be able to network usefully as they do so.
Overall I thought that this was a piece of sharing that should continue. There is not single solution to helping members in difficult times and the more ideas that are forthcoming the better.
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