PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (PD)

Why is CPD Important?  

Many members of the IET Wales South West Network have very little idea of what PD is or how it can help them. Indeed there is a feeling amongst some that it is "another bureaucratic waste of time". Let us remember that part of the Engineering Council’s Code of Practice requires all CEng’s commit to PD. PD enables us to keep ourselves up-to-date with current thinking and best practice. Whatever sector we work in, we are very unlikely to have "a job for life" and PD is a vital tool in retaining employability. Certainly companies should welcome employees who continually bring in new ideas, utilise new developments and best practice in theory, materials and processes. People who keep up an awareness of their own development and actively work towards maintaining and improving their competence will not only have the most rewarding jobs now, but will have more opportunities available to them in the future. Some would like to consider PD, but unfortunately to them, it is a very much an unknown; this is not just in the sense of not knowing what it is, but also how to go about it.

What is CPD?

It is defined as ‘the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill, and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional duties throughout working life’. The IET and IMechE have introduced a joint framework for PD to support all members through this essential aspect of self-development. The IET states "PD is the name, but the process is the game". The process is based on the Career Development Cycle:

The IET has information and tools available to assist in planning and recording. It is not the intention of the IET to be prescriptive as to how a member plans and records. Indeed if a member already has suitable documentation available (e.g. through his or her employer), he or she should not duplicate records. Members must, of course, ensure that documentation and evidence of development are kept up-to-date and available if needed. Whatever method is used for recording, it should show: 

1. WHAT YOU HAVE DONE
2. WHEN YOU DID IT
3. WHAT YOU LEARNED
4. HOW YOU HAVE, OR INTEND TO, IMPLEMENT THIS LEARNING
5. WHICH OF YOUR IDENTIFIED COMPETENCIES IT HAS IMPROVED
6. WHAT FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES YOU THINK MAY BE HELPFUL

What are the Qualifying Activities?

Any learning activity that a member undertakes, which adds to his or her competence, is worth recording. The important point to emphasise is that the IET PD framework is non-prescriptive and encompasses the complete range of activities the engineer needs if he or she is to competently discharge normal day-to day professional duties. These learning activities generally fall into one of three categories:

1. At Work - Those provided by the employer, e.g. on-the-job learning, where simply by performing day-to-day activities a member acquires relevant knowledge and skill;
2. At Home - Those which a member personally organises, e.g. distance learning, special projects or structured study, which may involve reading, watching TV/video tapes, listening to radio programmes and audio tapes, or perhaps writing papers for presentation and publication; and
3. At Events - Those provided by universities, colleges, professional institutions and training organisations, whether or not they lead to an examination.

Advice on PD.  

Whatever a member does for PD it is likely that, at some point, he or she will need some help, advice and guidance. In the IET Wales South West Network the first contact should be the Netowrk PD Co-Ordinator - Dr Elwyn C Davies (Tel: 01792 369214 - E-mail: elwyn davies).

Learning Resources Database.

The IET operates a comprehensive database of learning opportunities, which is available through the IET web site. This service offers a "one-stop-shop" to assist a member and his or her employer to find specific opportunities to satisfy learning needs. This database is available on the www.iee.org.uk/CPD/cis.htm.

Registered Employers.

Employers are invited to register with the IET as PD Registered Employers, in order to keep, in touch with the latest IET services and be sent a regular newsletter about professional development issues. If a member wishes his or her employer to be invited to register, please contact the IET Tel: 01438 767282 – E-mail: profdev).

 Irrespective of the current stage of their career, most members benefit from having someone with whom they can discuss their hopes, plans and problems. A mentor can offer a different perspective, encouragement, motivation and help with setting goals and reviewing progress. In the IET Wales South West Network the first contact should be the Network Mentoring Co-ordinator – Charles Radcliffe (Tel: 07850 843847 - E-mail: Charles Radcliffe).

 This service is available to members working towards gaining Chartered Engineer Status and corporate membership. Advice can be gained on the most effective route towards membership and how to focus activities accordingly. In order to gain corporate membership and Chartered Engineer Status, it will be necessary to produce evidence of PD. Help will also be given in preparing the application. In the IET Wales South West Network the first contact should be the Network Membership Advisor – Les Bower (Tel: 01792 423826 - E-mail: Les Bower).

Dr Elwyn C Davies

	Last modified by: Mike Price on Sun 03 09 2006 15 at 21:16:17