ASAQS webinars a rewarding success, says EduTech director

EduTech, the educational arm of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS), has been offering free webinars since May and will continue to do so for the rest of the year. Karl Trusler, Director of EduTech, says the webinars are widely attended, and the value offering has challenged the perceived costs involved in obtaining Continuous Professional Development. The webinars have essentially created a platform for Quantity Surveyors to participate, contribute, and network in surprising and enterprising ways.

“We have been extremely encouraged by the response to the webinars, with an average of more than two hundred persons attending each event. Compared to the 15-25 persons who attended the pre-COVID workshops and webinars, this indicates a dramatic shift in our members’ sentiment towards their continuous professional development. The webinars have become a place where people are informed and engage in highly topical matters, where they can brainstorm with their peers, and become a part of the greater problem-solving community which the built environment needs right now,” says Trusler.

He says that the webinars have created a platform for the members to connect and engage with one another on a national level.

“Members are getting to know each other and are sharing knowledge with each other. By making use of the “Chat” and “Q&A” functions available on the webinar platform, people ask the necessary questions, make constructive comments, engage in insightful conversations, and brainstorm potential solutions.   There is a growing sense of goodwill and camaraderie, and people are raising their hands to be part of the critical discussions taking place online, says Trusler.
The success of the webinars can undoubtedly be attributed to the generosity of the ASAQS Board who made the decision to offer free CPD events to our members for the remainder of 2020 as a gesture of kindness in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

Giving Quantity Surveyors more, for less
Obtaining CPD points is often associated with high costs. Webinars cost less than live workshops because of the savings on venue hire, catering, travel, accommodation, etc. These costs are recouped through the registration fees paid by attendees. Being able to offer free CPD training while maintaining the content standard, results in a remarkable value proposition to members.

Value innovation takes place where value is increased, and at the same time, costs are reduced. The decision to offer free webinars – which is substantially increased value at no cost - has achieved this overnight.

“Essentially, our members have been offered 83 free CPD hours via webinar, which in monetary terms, is worth approximately nine times the value of their annual membership fees. Live workshops would have at least doubled these statistics. Our team of CPD presenters is the best we have ever had, and they continue to deliver world-class webinars,” says Trusler.

The ASAQS has had the privilege of hosting topical webinars in response to the industry’s needs such as, “The Contractual Consequences of COVID-19” and “The Implications of COVID-19 on Construction Health and Safety”. Both of these topics resulted in follow-up webinars to further discuss and close the robust conversations that the webinars incited. Some of the feedback from the webinars also resulted in the production of practical guidelines. The webinars are so popular that the ASAQS is planning additional webinars to accommodate registrations in excess of the current Zoom limit of 500 persons.

The schedule for upcoming webinars can be found on the ASAQS website where you can register online. The webinar line-up includes topics such as an Overview and Technical Analysis of NEC 4, Professional Client-Consultant Services Agreements published by PROCSA®, Construction Delay Analysis, and Marketing your Consultancy, among others. 

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Stephne du Toit, 084 587 9933, stephne@thatpoint.co.za, www.atthatpoint.co.za  
For more information on ASAQS please visit:
Website: www.asaqs.co.za
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