Why CPD must evolve with the industry

Article submitted by Richard Martin, Managing Director, Churngold Construction

Construction is changing, fast. With new regulations, digital technologies, sustainability targets and shifting client expectations, today’s professionals need to do more than deliver on time and budget. We must stay informed, adaptable, and proactive. That’s where Continuing Professional Development (CPD) becomes a cornerstone of success, not a tick-box exercise.

At Churngold Construction, 2025 marks our 40th year in business. Over four decades, we’ve seen the growing importance of CPD firsthand. Once considered the domain of senior professionals or compliance officers, CPD is now central to career progression, project quality, and even legal accountability. It is an essential part of being a responsible client, consultant or contractor.

But the construction industry can no longer afford for CPD to exist in silos. To build better, safer and more efficient projects, we must approach CPD as a collaborative tool, one that supports shared understanding between clients, consultants, and contractors.

This article explores how construction professionals can better integrate CPD into real-world project delivery, from pre-construction through to handover.

Despite its importance, CPD still faces challenges in real-world construction settings. Too often, it’s divorced from site activity, detached from live project pressures, or reliant on generalised online content that doesn’t reflect current challenges.

The biggest risk? Skills gaps that aren’t identified until it’s too late, when an error occurs, a risk is missed, or regulations are breached. This disconnection between learning and live project work is something we’ve worked hard to bridge at Churngold. Our approach integrates CPD into daily workflows, making learning practical, relevant and timely. We focus on site-based mentoring, toolbox talks tied to emerging standards, and client/contractor workshops that reflect live risks.

Key strategies we’ve adopted include:

● Embedding technical CPD modules into early project planning meetings

● Running live on-site sessions to build understanding of environmental controls and digital plant technology

● Creating cross-discipline CPD workshops that align legal duties with real-world decisions

We are now operating in a construction environment where design liability, safety information, and environmental accountability are more visible than ever. The Building Safety Act 2022 formalises much of what good contractors already practice: early engagement, risk transparency, and traceable decision-making.

But for clients and consultants, this means working differently with their supply chain. For instance, involving a remediation or groundworks contractor early in a brownfield project enables accurate waste classification, proper soil segregation, and clarity on reuse options, all of which tie into safety and sustainability targets. It also builds a better understanding of who is responsible for what, and when.

Churngold has invested in GPS-enabled plant, drone technology for survey accuracy, and digital project tracking tools to ensure we work smarter. These tools improve safety, reduce cost, and provide clients with clear visuals and auditable records that support regulatory compliance.

Crucially, our team receives training on how and why to use these tools ensuring CPD is not just about compliance but improving outcomes.Churngold holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, reflecting our commitment to quality, environmental, and health & safety standards. We are also members of CL:AIRE, the Considerate Constructors Scheme, and operate a fully accredited GPS plant fleet for precision earthworks.

CPD is no longer optional. It is central to professional competence, legal compliance and collaborative project success. For clients, that means understanding your duty-holder role and ensuring your team is trained accordingly. For consultants, it means developing CPD that reflects real risks and aligns with evolving practice. For contractors, it means sharing expertise, offering training, and continually upskilling teams.

In our 40 years at Churngold, we’ve seen that the best projects are delivered not just by experienced teams, but by informed teams. CPD is the tool that makes that possible. As construction continues to evolve, it’s clear that professional development must evolve with it and be delivered in step with the realities of live project work.

Our advice: make CPD visible, make it relevant, and make it collaborative. Because the more we learn together, the better we build together.

Join us on 2nd October at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, as we expand our operations back into the Midlands region. We are keen to connect with ambitious, high-quality suppliers and subcontractors who share our commitment to delivering excellence. Secure your place here.