CPD for Engineers

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CPD - Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers

Following the launch of the new CPD requirements, CIBSE have put together responses to a series of frequently asked questions to guide you through the changes.

Q: What is CPD?
A: Continuing Professional Development is the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of your knowledge and skills and the development of personal qualities necessary for you to carry out your professional duties.
 
Q: I'm fully qualified and have many years experience so why do I need to do it?
A: CPD enables you to stay ahead of your profession by keeping up-to-date with regard to legal requirements, technical advances as well as one's own personal development. The point is can you afford not to be involved in CPD in these days of rapid change.
 
Q: I'm very busy and CPD courses can be very expensive - do I need to attend courses to meet CPD requirements?
A: Absolutely not. CIBSE recognises that many people are developing their skills and knowledge during the course of their work e.g. being trained at work on a new piece of technology, exchanging information at meetings, in-house training and community/public involvement. People have different requirements based on their own needs and while attending courses is useful, it is not essential.
 
Q: What are CIBSE's CPD requirements?
A: CIBSE expects you to undertake CPD. It recognises that CPD is more effective as part of structured plan and expects you to have identified your goals, planned what you needed to do, recorded how you went about achieving your goals and were able to record and evaluate what you learned and what progress you have made?
 
Q: Will CIBSE provide help for me?
A: CIBSE has produced the CIBSE Professional Development Plan which can help you record your CPD in a simple way.
 
Q: I belong to another professional institution which has also asked me to carry out CPD activities. Is this acknowledged by CIBSE?
A: Yes. It is CIBSE policy to recognise all relevant CPD activities carried out with other professional bodies.
 
Q: As a Graduate member, am I also expected to keep a record of CPD?
A: Graduate members will normally be undertaking training (called Initial Professional Development) and are not required to do anything additional for CPD. However, keeping records of what you do and learn is good discipline for IPD and CPD.
 
Q: I am taking a career break ? do I need to continue with CPD?
A: If you intend to return to work in engineering then the answer is yes. You will need to keep abreast of developments in your field or you may find it difficult to return to the industry when you are ready. Reading journal articles, attending technical meetings etc will allow you to keep in touch!

For more information go to http://www.cibse.org/

CPD - ICE - Institute of Civil Engineers

Guidance on Development Activities

The following activities may be recognised by the Institution of Civil Engineers as CPD activities. Please note that this list of activities is not exhaustive and other activities may be considered to be appropriate by the Institution when justified in development terms.

  • In house presentations
  • Attending trade exhibitions and systematically gathering information and knowledge to develop as an Engineer
  • Structured Reading (test your understanding of the reading material)
  • Work shadowing to add to your stack of knowledge and expertise for routine tasks
  • Promoting engineering in primary and secondary schools
  • Technical presentations
  • Writing reports / Writing for publication
  • Preparation of CPD presentations to colleagues and other professionals
  • Exposure to new situations at work which require action
  • Participating in careers conventions
  • Job secondment
  • ICE Local Association Development Events
  • Watching training videos and television programmes including the Civil Engineers' Channel from TEN
  • Listening to training audio tapes and viewing CD Roms for research purposes and technical information
  • Participating in Institution activities such as acting as a reviewer, a Student Liaison Officer or membership of Committees where new initiatives and ideas are discussed.
  • Sharing knowledge and expertise with others
  • Allied professions events
  • Acting as a coach or mentor for a fellow professional
  • Lecturing at organised events
  • Research both on the job and for further qualification
  • Teaching (for those not in teaching post)
  • Self Study through reading text books or study packs.
  • Validated and Accredited qualifications
  • Formal distance and open learning courses
  • Courses, Conferences, Seminars and Workshop

For more information go to www.ice.org.uk