We are about to embark on the first review cycle of the IET’s new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Monitoring Scheme. Members of the scheme will receive an email this week inviting them to submit their 2013 CPD records for review.

 

About CPD

 

CPD is the process of developing and maintaining competence; a set of recognised skills needed to reliably perform the occupation of your choice. It’s how you keep up-to-date with current practice; it drives you to improve your skills and progress into new roles and keeps you employable throughout your working life.

 

CPD is a professional obligation for all IET members, as featured in the IET Rules of Conduct.

 

“Members shall keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date through planned professional development and seek to broaden and deepen that knowledge throughout their working life. Members shall also encourage persons working under their supervision to do the same.”

 

Professionally registered members (CEng, IEng, EngTech or ICTTech) must also follow the Engineering Council’s CPD Code. The Engineering Council aspires for all Professional Engineering Institutions to introduce monitoring of their members CPD records by January 2017.

 

CPD Monitoring Scheme

 

The IET introduced a voluntary (opt-in) CPD monitoring scheme in July 2013 for TMIETs, MIETs and Fellows to help them meet and demonstrate their CPD commitments.

 

Members should aim to undertake a minimum of 30 hours per year. A reduced target of 10 hours is in place for retired members and those on maternity / paternity leave, and we are happy to discuss other particular circumstances on a case by case basis.

 

What types of CPD activities count?

 

The IET recognises our members work in a wide range of roles, sectors and circumstances and that they are best placed to decide what CPD is appropriate for them.

 

Therefore, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to the type of CPD they are doing. If it meets their professional development needs and is relevant to their professional job and interests, then it’s valid CPD.

 

The IET recognises both structured and less structured activities as valid CPD, including:

 

- Training

- Work experience

- Academic study

- Volunteering

- Events and seminars

- Self-study

 

 

What records do members need to keep?

 

CPD records are an excellent way for members to demonstrate that their knowledge and skills are up-to-date. It doesn’t have to be onerous to keep records – if CPD activities are recorded regularly it’s a straightforward process.

 

IET Career Manager v3 was launched in July 2013 and includes enhanced CPD recording functionality, making it quick and simple to do.

 

CPD Planning Report

Members are encouraged to plan CPD objectives and actions – this can be done easily in Career Manager and a report of this information can be exported to MS Word or PDF.

 

CPD Activity Report

Career Manager allows members to record their CPD activities and extract a high level or detailed report of activities undertaken within a selected time period to MS Word or PDF. This information can be used to demonstrate CPD for the IET’s CPD monitoring scheme as well as to employers, colleagues and clients.

 

How to join the scheme

 

The scheme is voluntary so to be part of it members need to opt-in. To join, please send an email to cpd@theiet.org with Opt-in to CPD Monitoring Scheme in the subject line and include your name and membership number in the message.

 

If you’re still deciding whether to join the scheme you may find my previous blog post five reasons to join the IET’s CPD monitoring scheme helpful.

 

You can also read about other IET members approach to CPD in our case studies.