All Engineering Council registrants make a commitment to maintain and enhance their competence. In practice, this means undertaking continuing professional development (CPD).
The requirement is set out in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC) and the ICTTech Standard, and the obligation is explained below in the CPD Code for Registrants.
CPD has several purposes, which will vary in relation to your circumstances, needs and career progression. It can also take a variety of forms. At its heart is informal learning through the challenges and opportunities of working life, and interaction with others such as colleagues, customers and suppliers, including professionals from other disciplines. This may be supplemented by structured activities such as courses, distance learning programmes, private study, preparation of papers and presentations, mentoring, involvement in professional body activities, or relevant voluntary work. This list is not exhaustive and individual registrants are best placed to determine their needs and how to meet them.
The Engineering Council’s CPD Policy Statement explains in more detail the nature, purpose and value of CPD, and explains the sort of support that members can expect from their institution. CPD can take a wide variety of forms and institutions may offer direct CPD opportunities such as workshops, site visits, lectures or short courses. This CPD Policy Statement can be downloaded below.
Engineering Technicians, ICT Technicians, Incorporated Engineers and Chartered Engineers make a commitment to maintaining their competence through CPD, and recording that development. The professional engineering institutions undertake annual random samples of registrants’ CPD records and provide appropriate feedback. Recording of CPD undertaken will be mandatory for registered engineers and technicians no later than January 2019. Professionally active registrants who persistently do not respond to or engage with requests for CPD records from a Licensed Member risk removal from the Engineering Council Register.
IHEEM is currently developing a CPD module which will make it easier for members to monitor, maintain and record their Continued Professional Development. If you would be interested in finding out more please email office@iheem.org.uk.
Useful Links:
Engineering Council CPD Policy Statement click here
CPD Code for Registrants click here