Study using financial proxies from the Social Value Bank shows high social value return of key CIOB activities, writes Rod Sweet.
The top four social value-generating activities of the CIOB last year were CPD completions, calculated to have delivered £17.2m in social value, downloads of learning materials (£9.6m), training courses delivered (£5m) and mentoring (£2.8m). The study identifies five main areas where CIOB delivers most social value.
CIOB Academy
CIOB calls the Academy the “engine room” for driving social value through its constant engagement with members and the wider industry. “For an organisation with 47,000 members worldwide, it is not surprising that the impact of its training is significant and this ranges from a variety of training courses to a wide range of CPD packages (both free and purchased), and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs),” the study said.
Technical guidance and codes of practice
The codes of practice developed by CIOB, and the technical guidance sheets and information readily available online, “drive the industry forward on a path of continuous improvement and help to maintain and improve standards”, the study said, adding: “This provides the practical day-to-day support and advice which supplements some of the more theoretical training and guidance.”
Mentoring
The recently established mentoring programme has proved successful for members both as mentors and mentees (and in some cases both), the study says. The intention is to expand this programme, which has already benefited over 280 users.
Global Student Challenge
This competition, open to teams of students worldwide, promotes greater alignment with the principles of the CIOB, allowing the challenge to better reflect the CIOB’s positioning on ‘leading the cultural shift’, innovation and thought leadership.
CIOB Assist
Working with Anxiety UK, this fund is open to members and ex-members of CIOB and their dependent families to help people deal with challenging times. It donates an average of £50,000 a year. A further £32,000 was invested in the partnership during 2021. Relevant financial proxies for the support given include ‘relief from anxiety’ and ‘relief from the burden of debt’.
“The impact of the work of the CIOB directly impacts many of the aspects of the construction process,” the study concluded.
“Not only does it support the skills and technical expertise that enable its members to deliver their work to the highest standards, but it also focuses on safety, health, and wellbeing and many of the aspects addressing the issues related to working in a high powered, stressful environment.
“The CIOB looks to deliver the skills to maximise job performance and look after the individual, and additionally to ensure the built environment meets the needs of society.”
