As far as I'm concerned, there is no formal mandatory requirements in IET for CPD. So, practically any members of IET can not attend any CPD at all,but still maintain their membership. 

There's been a debate in the US as to whether there should be an obligation to demonstrate ongoing CPD to maintain registration. My concern would be who defines what CPD comprises and what sort of overhead it places upon busy engineers.

If the IET were to put in place some system where tradeshow & seminar organisers and training providers provided a standard & recognisable (& verifiable) certificate of attendance & completion, I would certainly have a healthy portfolio. Some technical seminar organisers do issue named certificates, and I've always tried to keep hold of them, for no particular purpose.

I do think the IET needs a more positive direction instead of just letting it drift and paying only lip service to CPD.

As I understand it at present the IET registration and standards groups are actively reviewing this important area, this is also being driven by the Engineering Council.

Yes, the Engineering Council is looking at CPD as part of its strategic plan which can be found on our website at http://www.engc.org.uk/ecukdocuments/internet/document%20library/Engineering%20Council%20Strategic%20Plan.pdf.  The work is being led by Richard Shearman (ex Director of Formation). 

It’s great to see so many of you engaging with the IET Professional Development Community.

 

Some of you may already have seen the blog post last month from our Vice President Alan Watts regarding CPD -  “When Is An Engineer Not An Engineer?”

 

IET members have a professional obligation to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to remain competent throughout their working lives, as detailed in our IET Rules of Conduct and in addition to this professionally registered members must also follow the Engineering Council’s CPD Code.

 

As you may be aware we are shortly due to re-launch Career Manager which will include greatly enhanced CPD recording capability.  Allowing reporting of hours of CPD undertaken against a number of different categories and the inclusion of reflection upon the value gained from each CPD activity.

 

We have previously given a guideline that members could, as an example, undertake a minimum of 30 hours CPD per year, divided equally between job processes or technology, technology in their specialised field or area and interpersonal or management skills.  With the richness of CPD descriptive options available in the next Career Manager i.e Training Courses, Work Experience, Academic Study, Volunteering, Events and Seminar attendance and self-study.

 

We are also about to launch a new CPD support service which will underpin the general advice above.  We will provide further details in the Community news section when this is launched.