Learning
Through the Learning and Development Unit (LDU), the Scottish Building Standards Hub (SBSH) delivers training and development to all Scottish local authority building standards practitioners through the Local Authority Building Standards Scotland (LABSS) network.
Centre to this is the provision of an on-line learning platform containing digital training material exclusively for LABSS members.
The SBSH provides CPD and training directly to LABSS members or facilitates it in conjunction with industry partners and stakeholders. The SBSH will also deliver training to stakeholders where this helps their understanding of the building standards system and how it is delivered.
The SBSH supports the national Competency Assessment Scheme (CAS) for local authority verifiers and is currently investigating the implementation of a national on-line skills builder platform for the use of local authority building standards services to identify and record the skills attainment and gaps of their employees.
On-line Learning Management System
Our on-line learning management system was developed through grant funding provided by the Scottish Government's Building Standards Division (BSD) to LABSS. The platform was jointly developed by LABSS, the Building Standards Hub Pilot, and our external contractor Learning Pool Ltd with oversight from the BSD Practice Unit.
The learning management system is exclusively for local authority building standards practitioners who are members of LABSS.
Workforce Development and Ambassadors Networks
Promotion of the building standards profession can be done most effectively by the people in those job roles who can speak from their lived experience. LABSS has an established Ambassadors Network with people working in the profession from across Scotland. Ambassadors are taking part in outreach activities with schools, colleges, and universities. Further volunteers are welcome to join the network and participate in activities that will raise awareness of what the building standards profession does.
LABSS Ambassadors Network is supported by the SBSH through it's Learning and Development Unit (LDU).
Other national workforce development and strategies in building standards are also supported through the SBSH, particularly those initiatives deriving from the Scottish Government Building Standards Division Practice Unit, in order to assist LABSS and local authorities meeting the requirements of such developments.
Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships in Building Standards
Competency Assessment System
The Competency Assessment System (CAS) was launched for all local authority building standards practitioners from May 2021. This is supported by the Professional Framework which the CAS process is an integral part. Currently, this is a suite of excel working documents for use with the CAS when assessing post profiles against the post holder's competencies. These are the CAS Toolkits.
To further develop CAS, the SBSH, in partnership with LABSS and the Scottish Government's BSD, are currently investigating the development and implementation of a web-based validation of skills system specifically for building standards practitioners working for local authority building standards services in Scotland.
Continual Professional Development (CPD)
The SBSH supports the provision of CPD and training for local authority building standards services and LABSS. CPD can either be provided directly to practitioners by the SBSH, or in conjunction with industry partners and stakeholders, arranged through the SBSH LDU.
In addition, the SBSH also supports training to industry partners and stakeholders where this can assist their understanding of the building standards system and how it is operated by verifiers.
The SBSH also assists with the delivery of training to students through it's lecturing services to colleges and universities.