EGM approves new membership grade changes

The CIOB’s Extraordinary General Meeting has voted in favour of two resolutions:-

1) To change the CIOB’s membership structure, by removing the ACIOB and ICIOB grade for new entrants and instead creating a new grade of “Applicant”. It is proposed that this is effective from 1 July 2015.

2) To create a new designation of RetMCIOB and RetFCIOB, suitable for individuals who have retired from their professional role and are no longer active within the industry. 

These amendments are subject to formal approval from the Privy Council.

The changes will not immediately affect anyone who currently holds ACIOB or ICIOB membership, who will be able to continue to use the designation and post-nominals for up to 10 years.

But the intention behind the change, proposed by the Members’ Forum, is to encourage new entrants to aim for full chartered status, thereby raising individuals’ professional standing and the Institute’s status as a chartered membership body. 

It’s hoped that simplifying the membership structure will also reduce confusion among clients and the wider public as to the status of the ACIOB and ICIOB grades.

Graduates from CIOB-accredited universities have so far been able to take up ICIOB membership, an option that will now no longer be available.

However, Ros Thorpe, head of education at the CIOB, said the changes were unlikely to negatively impact on the CIOB’s relationships with the universities and students.

She said that take-up of the ICIOB membership was relatively low, and that accredited-degree graduates would be able to embark immediately on their Professional Development Programme as a route to membership, while graduates of non-accredited degrees would need to have their qualifications assessed.

But she acknowledged that removal of the ACIOB and ICIOB grades could be a disincentive for some individuals who study for the CIOB’s own qualifications in site management. 

Currently, around 350 individuals a year complete [corrected] its Level 4 Certificate in Site Management and Level 3 Diploma in Site Management (routes to ACIOB), and Level 4 Diploma in Site Management (a route to ICIOB). These are nationally accredited qualifications and relatively few graduates go on take up membership as ACIOB or ICIOB.

The courses are often undertaken by individuals who have a trades background but are aiming for site management roles, and also want to gain access to a CSCS Black Managers card.