Continuing education is vital for professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, not just for maintaining licensure but for staying relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.
Ed Akins II, AIA, cove.tool's Director of AEC Strategic Growth, recently sat down with KK Loy, AIA, WELL AP, AIA Atlanta's Program Director, to discuss the significance of AIA’s continuing education programs and how cove.tool is contributing to these learning opportunities.
The Importance of Continuing Education in Architecture
Continuing education is more than just a checkbox for professional certification—it’s a pathway to staying relevant and adaptable in a constantly changing field.
"a lot of times when people mention that, people think of lunch and learns and sort of checking a box I got a credit for my licensing or any sort of certifications," says Loy. "However, to me, it's more about staying relevant and adaptable in our fields, right? So it's more than just career advancement, it's also personal growth, right?"
AIA Atlanta's Educational Offerings
AIA Atlanta is at the forefront of providing free and affordable learning opportunities for architects of all experience levels that aid in connecting architects with valuable information.
For emerging professionals, AIA Atlanta offers study groups throughout the year to help with licensing exams and share knowledge among peers. They also organize various events focusing on critical issues like sustainability—a topic that aligns closely with cove.tool’s mission to reduce the carbon footprint of building projects.
Upcoming events for late August and September 2024 focus heavily on sustainability, providing a perfect opportunity for professionals to learn and engage with the latest developments in the field.
"We have all these either free or great resources around us. I want you to take advantage of that and exchange knowledge," urges Loy.
cove.tool's Continuing Education Sessions
cove.tool is also committed to providing valuable educational resources to the AEC community. As Akins highlights, cove.tool’s upcoming sessions will focus on cutting-edge topics such as the application of artificial intelligence in architecture and the evolving landscape of decarbonization.
These sessions are designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to leverage new technologies and practices in their work.
"[Sessions are] informing our members and informing individuals seeking learning units for their annual commitments," explains Akins. "make sure [you] get the knowledge [you] need for what's happening in the marketplace."
cove.tool's educational offerings are crafted to help architects and other AEC professionals earn AIA learning units while gaining a deeper understanding of the trends shaping the future of the industry.
Looking Ahead: The Value of Continuous Learning
For architects and all AEC professionals, continuous learning is more critical than ever. Whether you are looking to fulfill your annual learning unit requirements or seeking to expand your knowledge base and skill set, AIA and cove.tool provide a range of opportunities to help you stay at the forefront of the industry.
From AIA Atlanta’s study groups and sustainability-focused events to cove.tool’s FREE continuing education sessions, there’s no shortage of ways to keep learning and growing.
Stay informed, stay engaged, and continue to elevate your practice through the power of continuing education.
