Busting those Continuing Professional Development (CPD) myths

In life, there are engineers and there are professional engineers. The key difference between the two types of engineer is that a professional engineer is someone who has demonstrated their competence to their peers and has made a public commitment to abide by a code of professional and ethical conduct.

A professional has an obligation to maintain their competence and will only practice in areas where they are competent. But what does this mean?

Well, professional competence is defined as a combination of knowledge, skills and attitude, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the term that is used to describe the learning activities that engineers use to maintain and enhance their professional and technical abilities. This could mean honing current skills, it could mean developing them to a new level, or it could mean learning new ones.

CPD requirements are present in every credible profession and indeed many companies and organisations now prioritise them because they ensure a constantly developing workforce. Hence, CPD is relevant at all stages of an individual’s career, from those new to the profession right through to experienced professionals wishing to keep abreast of the latest trends and techniques.

For these reasons, and following good professional practice, the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) requires its members to participate in CPD whilst they remain professionally active (i.e. whilst engaged in full or part time work, or supporting the work of the Institution as volunteers).

In addition, the Institution’s licensing bodies, the Engineering Council and Science Council, require those who register with them to do the same. They also ask IChemE to review members’ CPD records as evidence of compliance.  This is so that the licensing bodies can maintain public confidence in the profession.

Why CPD is important in chemical and process engineering

There are various myths surrounding IChemE’s CPD requirements that need busting. But before tackling these it is worth reflecting on why CPD is important and becoming increasingly so.  

Legislation and professional practice is becoming more complex and ever-changing. In addition to technical innovation, we are seeing advances and changes in contractual and managerial areas including in health & safety, environmental management, and commercial practice.

We also live with an ever-growing litigious business culture. If professionally qualified chemical engineers become involved in such litigation, they are very likely to have to demonstrate how they maintained their competence. So, IChemE’s members may be at risk professionally if they were not able to demonstrate how they do this, and a CPD record would be the best way.

Myth busting

Let’s look at some of the myths.

#1 You must undertake courses and formal training to satisfy CPD requirements

Incorrect. CPD can take many forms, for example:  

1. Work-based activity
2. Learning on the job
3. Peer guidance and discussion
4. In-house presentations
5. Work shadowing to add to your stack of knowledge and expertise for routine tasks
6. Technical presentations
7. Writing reports
8. Preparation of CPD presentations to colleagues and other professionals
9. Exposure to new situations at work which require action
10. Job secondment
11. Research both on the job and for further qualification

• Formal training
• Approved and Accredited qualifications
• Formal distance and open learning courses
• Courses, conferences, seminars and workshops

3) Professional activity

• Attending trade exhibitions and systematically gathering information and knowledge to develop as an engineer
• Structured reading (test your understanding of the reading material)
• Promoting engineering in primary and secondary schools
• Writing for publications
• Participating in careers conventions
• Attending IChemE Member Group Events
• Participating in IChemE activities such as Professional Reviewing, or supporting local members groups or special interest groups
• Sharing knowledge and expertise with others
• Attending allied professional events
• Acting as a coach or mentor for a fellow professional
• Lecturing at organised events
• Teaching (for those not in a teaching post)

4) Self-directed learning

• Listening to audio training material for research purposes and technical information
• Self-study through reading textbooks or study packs
• Watching training films or television programmes
• Personal learning via the internet

#2 CPD is all about maintaining technical competence

Incorrect. Just as the content of work changes throughout an individual’s career so does the accompanying CPD. The exact nature of the CPD undertaken should be based on the individual member’s circumstances.

However, it is also important to recognise objectives other than the individual’s needs, for example what employers need, and what IChemE, society and the law expects. So, it would be wrong to think that CPD needs to include that related to the “nuts and bolts” type of work in the form of calculations and simulations. Whilst it may be appropriate for some it would not apply to all.

#3 You must follow the “CPD cycle”  

Incorrect. The “CPD cycle” exists in many forms and is simply a guide or tool to help plan and track CPD. At its simplest, it comprises four stages:

1. Review needs
2. Plan CPD
3. Undertake CPD, and
4. Assess/evaluate the effectiveness of the CPD.

Clearly, this is not rocket science. These steps are what many, if not most, professionals would do instinctively when seeking to achieve a goal. There are more detailed “CPD cycles” with more steps available and these may help. It really is horses for courses, or rather identifying what works for individuals. IChemE advises its members not to look upon the “CPD cycle” as a forced process but rather as something that may help.

#4 All members have to provide their CPD records annually

Incorrect. Although IChemE does require evidence of how its members maintain competence via CPD (as do all professional engineering institutions), this is done through CPD sampling. This sampling process identifies a random selection of members whose CPD record must be reviewed.

The evidence within the CPD records must demonstrate how the member maintains their competence and hence more detail is required than a simple list of CPD activities. The evidence will invariably span the content of the stages of the “CPD cycle” mentioned above in myth #3.

Benefits of maintaining Continuing Professional Development

All engineers want to be the best they can at their job. Continuing professional development throughout their careers enables them to stay current on changing issues, legislation, and guidelines. There are plenty of reasons why CPD benefits individuals as well as benefitting employers, such as a sense of achievement and sharing knowledge with peers, as well as demonstrating increased skills that could lead to promotion or an advantage over other job candidates who may not have CPD certificates.

The myriad benefits speak for themselves. Many employers are aware of the benefits that come from offering and supporting CPD and are likely to help cover some or all of the costs involved. Even if not, there are clear returns on investment to be had.

More information

IChemE supports members to access resources and activities that count as CPD. Members of the Institution can access a free subscription to The Chemical Engineer magazine, seven IChemE journals and the Loss Prevention Bulletin, as well as the Knovel technical database, the Knowledge Hub and the Sustainability Hub. As well as these resources, IChemE’s special interest groups and members groups offer opportunities for members to attend meetings, presentations and webinars on a range of topics.

For more information on IChemE’s approach to CPD, please visit: www.icheme.org/cpd.