To be or not to be OSB? And why CPD – Continuing Professional Development – is good for all of us!

It’s one of those abbreviations we all hear and then think we know exactly what it means! But, if someone asked, would we all know the precise answer?

CPD! What is it? CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development and refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that a person gains both formally and informally as they work. So it goes beyond that first initial training we may all enjoy. It’s a record of what one experiences, learns and then applies.   There are over 1000 institutes & professional bodies across the UK and this number is forecast to increase; after all, we all need to keep learning, especially now!  The focus of CPD is firmly on results – the benefits that professional development can bring you in the real world. Perhaps the most important message is that one size doesn’t fit all and everyone is different.  The skills shortage in the building industry is well-documented as is the fact that traditional academic education is not the be-all and end-all. Indeed, today’s world has demonstrated this.

CPD was borne around the acceptance that academic qualifications must offer more vocational and skills-based or ‘practical’ learning. A structured, practical and methodical approach to learning helps employers across industries to keep key staff and develop the skills & knowledge in their organisations to maintain a sustainable and competitive advantage. Engaging in Continuing Professional Development ensures that both academic and practical qualifications do not become out-dated or obsolete; allowing individuals to continually ‘up skill’ or ‘re-skill’ themselves, regardless of occupation, age or educational level.

So, although it spans a multitude of industries, CPD is prevalent in the building and construction industries which is great news for everyone.

For those specifiers who have contemplated using SterlingOSB Zero for a new project, Norbord has produced a CPD video presentation which highlights the features and benefits of the popular, versatile board. There are variants available and applications include roofing, timber framing and interior fit-outs.  Available on RIBA’s CPD website, the video presentation, which features a voiceover, begins with learning aims and ends with learning outcomes. 

The variants of SterlingOSB Zero are clearly described, with the voiceover, bullet points and images establishing the benefits of SterlingOSB Zero OSB3, SterlingOSB Zero Tongue & Groove, and SterlingOSB Zero Fire Solutions. This is followed by information on why OSB is better than plywood and why SterlingOSB Zero is better than regular OSB; particular focus is paid to SterlingOSB’s zero-added formaldehyde (ZAF).

The presentation also highlights Norbord’s commitment to the environment, showcasing that SterlingOSB Zero is FSC-certified, BBA approved, and recyclable.

Head to RIBA’s CPD website – https://www.ribacpd.com/norbord-europe-ltd/5477/to-be-or-not-to-osb-the-benefits-and-applications-of-oriented-strand-board/406947/movie.

For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit www.norbord.co.uk.