Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a regular habit that is nurtured and encouraged, rather than seen as simply a requirement to be ticked off. Discussions around this were a central theme of the inaugural Asia-Pacific Fellows’ Forum, which brought together CIOB Fellows from across the region to discuss Modern Professionalism, lifelong learning, mentoring and the role experienced professionals play in supporting the next generation. 

The Fellows’ Forum is an opportunity for CIOB Fellows from disparate hubs and regions to connect and share their hard-earned wisdom and local observations. It’s a great chance to check in with real experience on the ground and for people who have dedicated themselves to the industry to say their piece and have a chance to set the world to rights. Inaugurated by past President Sandi Rhys-Jones, April 2026 saw the first Forum specifically at a time amenable for Fellows in the Asia Pacific time zones. 

CIOB Director of Education and Standards Ros Thorpe opened the Forum by speaking to the concept of “Modern Professionalism” – the heart of the CIOB Corporate Plan 2023-2028. It is positioned as a global standard linked to delivering public benefit and improving the built environment and there is increasing industry demand for modern professionals, particularly on major global infrastructure projects. 

Continuing Professional Development 

The Forum then discussed their experience of Modern Professionalism and identified the key components of it as ethical practice; competence in traditional as well as openness to emerging technologies; and lifelong learning. The discussion moved into the importance of lifelong learning or “Continuing Professional Development” to support professional practice.  

CPD is a bit like brushing your teeth - we do it because it maintains our professional image and it maintains our own integrity. To some it's an unwelcome chore, but looked on in a different light, it's an opportunity to stay sharp, strong and fresh and maintain appeal over the course of a long life. 

Every Fellow present recognised the importance of CPD and it was interesting to learn the varied ways in which people around the world can access it. While we all have access to the quality content provided by CIOB Academy, in-person learning is still a favourite amongst Fellows. It gives the opportunity for an active dialogue with new ideas as well as the networking and business development opportunities that are an equally necessary part of professional life. 

Many Fellows around the Asia-Pacific hubs said they enjoyed collaboration and learning from opportunities provided by other professional bodies, particularly in locations where the CIOB population is thinner on the ground. Many were dual members of CIOB and a local building professional or architectural body. Some had sought out the opportunities for learning and connecting that arise through events at local Chambers of Commerce or Law.  

Making time for these opportunities is always a challenge. This can be made even more daunting when employers do not understand the value of an individual’s commitment to professionalism. The Forum was a great opportunity for each of us to support one another in our commitment to not only sustaining our professionalism over time but also sustaining our interest and adaptability in our vocation.   

Promoting CPD as a career commitment   

Several members spoke to the challenge of setting a professional culture with students and early-career professionals. There was a concern that the people in these stages were only interested in learning if they thought it could be a steppingstone to rapid career progression. They were overlooking the expectation of a career-long commitment to learning, a cornerstone of developing experience and integrity. 

While those in the academic sphere made it clear that the importance of ethical, professional, behaviour is reinforced at every opportunity in tertiary learning, it risked becoming a matter of rote rather than a deep understanding while the individual still lacked real-world experience. 

Mentoring the next generation 

This brought us to think of the importance of mentoring and methods of passing on behaviours outside of classroom opportunities. Many of the Fellows at the Forum had volunteered as mentors both within the CIOB and other contexts and had found it a highly rewarding experience.  

Mentoring is a valuable opportunity for those at either end of the experience spectrum to engage and challenge themselves to see things from another perspective. A good mentor can also help an individual overcome feelings of exclusion or intimidation that they might be experiencing by connecting them with the wider industry beyond their current workplace.  

As CIOB leaders, Fellows play a critical role in advancing Modern Professionalism by driving best practice, fostering collaboration, and supporting the development of others and each other. We recognise that it is a lifelong journey and aligning ourselves with a group that values the long view is something that helps us to travel further in our profession.  

"A fia vave oo lou va’a alo na o’oe, ae a fia tuli mamao le taunu’uga tatou ‘alo ‘alo faatasi”     

• If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together" 

Sāmoan proverb