RGU has joined the wealth of universities and colleges to benefit from accreditation around the world, giving students assurance the course has CIOB’s seal of approval and the establishment reaches the highest standards to provide them with the skills and knowledge for a career in the global construction industry.

As many readers will be aware, there is a significant skills shortage within the sector globally – and Scotland is no exception. Research from the Construction Industry Training Board tells us Scotland’s construction industry will need to increase current recruitment by 5,220 new workers each year to deliver the expected work between the start of 2024 and the end of 2028.

Our stance is improving both the quality and access to education is vital in ensuring there is a strong pipeline of educated, qualified and, of course, professional workers who are passionate about working in the built environment.

A consistent cohort of talented professionals with a passion for the industry will naturally plug a gap in the skills shortage. Then we can turn our focus to retaining those individuals to ensure we keep that talent within the industry over the long term.

By delivering qualifications and certifications that meet the needs of a changing industry, we work with members, employers, academia and governments across the globe to drive forward the science, practice and importance of management in construction.

Accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is an internationally recognised mark of quality for higher education programs in the built environment. This gold standard ensures that degree programs meet rigorous quality criteria and align with industry standards.

The CIOB accredits foundation (FdSc), undergraduate (BSc), and postgraduate (MSc) programs with universities and other higher education institutions in the UK and around the world.

Our accreditation guarantees those courses create a pathway towards full membership (MCIOB). What’s more, we offer a certificate of excellence to one student who achieves the highest marks in their class in the final year of study.

In the case of RGU’s Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) in Construction and the Built Environment, the course is delivered online and offers clear routes into construction management, quantity surveying, architectural technology, and building surveying.

A key benefit of the GA is the student will be working in a relevant field while undertaking their studies, enabling them to earn as they learn while also directly applying their learning to their job. It is structured to provide practical education and work-based learning, enabling students to develop knowledge and skills for application in their specialised field.

The course content and delivery reflect the prominence of personal and interpersonal skills, professional practice and behaviour, environmental, sustainable, and digital practices together with health and safety.

In my experience, students undertaking a CIOB-accredited course will often choose to follow our pathway towards full membership, of which the benefits are endless.

Some highlights include post-nominal recognition, including MCIOB and FCIOB, over 500 annual events which are free to members and access to ongoing Continued Professional Development (CPD). New members also have the chance to join our Tomorrow’s Leaders community, which helps to shape the future of the built environment.

In summary, accrediting courses like the one on offer at RGU is a small but vital step towards addressing the significant skills shortage the industry faces globally. The benefits of CIOB accreditation include enhanced credibility for the institution, industry benefits, improved career opportunities for graduates, access to the CIOB’s network and more.

Anyone interested in finding out more about accreditation for their programmes can email antonia.lanyiova@ciob.org.uk for guidance through the process.