Professional Development at Events?

We get plenty of retired engineers to our events, especially those involving steam or beer, but put on CPD and we are pretty much on our own. Can we do more to get local industry to encourage their younger engineers to participate in our local CPD events?

Assuming Alex's points regarding general attendance and non-attendance of not-so-young and younger members respectively are not local to Alex's area only then this must surely be something the IET in general has observed and has some strategy to address. Perhaps Kathryn knows more about this? Maybe this Messaging site is part of that strategy?





As there's been a pretty constant stream of people joining this stream, I assume a good proportion are those doing CPD rather than those concerned with CPD such IET group organisers and IET mentors? Though presumably both groups can provide some insight into Alex's point. Do you attend if so why? or if not why not?



Does the IET already know the answer to this question?

Speaking for myself, yes I'm awaiting CEng deliberations at the IET, I felt that as I'm active on the committee alongside registration advisors I really ought to get it done. In respect of CPD, I feel I undertake ample CPD as part of my routine work keeping pace with modern electronics.



My comments here were from the viewpoint of a LN events organiser - I'd personally like yo see more 'relevant technical' events, but fear I may form a disturbingly large percentage of the audience.

WIthin the professional development team we work closely with local networks to deliver lifeskills courses many of which attract members from a wide range of backgrounds.



We are actively encouraging members to not only undertake CPD but also to record this and for those that are interested we have recently launched an opt-in monitoring scheme.



The reason for posing this question was that we are particularly interested to know about technical conferences or seminars that members may attend for their CPD and what their reasons are for attending.  I think that Alex raises an interesting point with regard to relevant technical events within the local networks as it may be that people get this information from conferences and seminars and look to the local networks more for social or networking events.

Yes, indeed, our "Improve your CV" and "Professional Networking" CPD events both cancelled due to poor support. I'm hoping technical topics might fare better. Hoping...

It's always good (as an IET member) to see a presence at a large scale event like All Energy. I have been there in the past and regarded it as a very attractive and "buzzing" event with a wide range of attendees - including groups of students and apprentices from various companies. It seems like a good use of IET resources to attend such an event and I hope there was a good response!



Events like that often have seminar/discussion sessions that could be used for CPD events.

Kathryn: Re 'it may be that people get this information from conferences and seminars'.



I've just checked my CPD record since I became a CEng (five years ago) and only 20% are actually IET related events. I've just this week attended a conference on Risk and Reliability at Loughborough. The rest are a mix of APM, IMechE, SaRS and even an IChemE sponsored events alongside organisational events and training courses and conferences. I find events from a mix of organisations gives me good picture - and broader networking opportunities, as well as greater opportunities to find technical events of interest.

I agree Geoffrey, it is one of those events where companies exhibiting span the range from SMEs to large Corporates in the engineering sector, as well as those organisations facilitating renewable development across a wide range of technologies, many of which are highly innovative.



The lecture streams of course represent valuable CPD opportunities, but even just visiting the stands and talking to exhibitors provides a wealth of new knowledge and understanding.  This year’s event was very successful despite the blustery weather and I was able to provide PRA advice to many members and prospective members on the stand. A rewarding two days for myself and IET colleagues!



Dick Bacon