CIOB’s new grade TechCIOB is being launched soon

We have some good news to end 2022 with, I am delighted to announce that after two years of development work, the CIOB have received approval for the new TechCIOB grade from the Privy Council. 

This important new grade will enable CIOB to extend its influence on those specialists that put buildings together and to enhance our knowledge to the operational aspects of building and construction. 

It can only be a good thing to bring the technical experts and the management together in the interests of sharing knowledge and improving our built environment. The grade in no way seeks to replace previous non-chartered grades, which were designed as steppingstones to chartership and lacked an intrinsic value. 

This new grade has a value in its own right with a distinct set of competencies testing technical knowledge and skills and must not be viewed as inferior to MCIOB. It covers existing technical roles such as Building Control Technicians, Quantity Surveying Technicians, Site Supervisors as well as new roles in off-site manufacturing or digital technologies and indeed robotics. 

The assessment, therefore, includes a number of pathways that recognise specialist knowledge and skills as well as core competencies related to technology and professional practice. The grade is benchmarked at UK level 4.

One of the opportunities for this new grade is to help us engage with further education colleges and higher education institutes that offer vocational and technical education. Previously, our accreditation process was very much focussed on degrees or post graduate awards. Now we have the ability to accredit technical diplomas and awards in built environment subjects across the world. 

Some qualifications such as BTECs offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority or Pearson are already recognised by CIOB and will automatically be aligned to the TechCIOB grade so do not need to be accredited. 

However, I know that in the UK and many other countries, a great deal of Construction Education takes place in colleges that offer vocational qualifications and I am delighted that this new grade gives CIOB a vehicle to engage with those providers through our accreditation process for their technical and vocational qualifications in built environment subjects. CIOB accreditation is a seal of approval for the teaching institute, signifying that it reaches the highest standards and provides learners with the skills and knowledge for a career in the global construction industry.

If you are interested in accrediting your technical or vocation qualifications, please contact Laura Stirling, Accreditation Manager, email: [email protected].

If you would like to know more about TechCIOB, please contact Mandy Mills, Head of Quality, email: [email protected].