Einstein delivers new on-line CPD for RICS "Safe as..."

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched a second specialist on-line facility based upon Einstein’s innovative learning platform. The “Safe as…” facility will deliver video based training and continuing professional development (CPD) programmes to thousands of new Home Inspectors around the country.

Jeff Lenton (MD of Einstein) said “Growing our business is a key objective for 2006 and this is a great start to the year. It demonstrates that our business can be effectively grown through partnering with organisations and businesses that are already entrenched in professional education, skills training and personal development. We add value and competitive differentiation to our partners’ and clients’ products and services.

It’s nearly 2 years since we teamed up with RICS Books and created the Institutes’ first on-line, streamed video content using what is now our “In2medium” product, delivering TV style CPD programmes to RICS members in all corners of the world.

This latest contract with the Institute is further endorsement of our business strategy together with the patented technology that forms the core of our online training and education facilities.”

Government legislation says that all Home Inspectors will be licensed and assessed for competence in assessment, and they will have to prove they are competent against the criteria in the National Occupation Standards for Home Inspectors. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has agreed on these standards and a Vocational Related Qualification is currently being developed in line with the Standards.

In all, between 8,000 and 10,000 Home Inspectors are expected to require training, assessing and ultimately licensing to produce the new Home Condition Reports that are becoming a compulsory part of buying and selling a house at the beginning of January 2007.

RICS and Sheffield Hallam University are working with Einstein Network to produce a complete series of specialist video programmes to be released over a 12 month period covering the whole surveying process. Topics include real-life surveys, health and safety considerations and report completion.

The video programmes are available to RICS members and non-members and can be purchased on-line at www.en-power.co.uk/safeas. Once signed up, subscribers can choose to view either whole programmes or just short sections from the growing archive. The TV style content is likely to be an attractive educational resource for other professionals involved in the residential housing market such as estate agents and conveyancing solicitors.

The RICS announcment can be found on their website - click here.