What Is CPD (Continuing Professional Development)?

What is CPD engineering objective?

The CPD activities should enable professional engineers to practice the following –

• Maintaining a technical edge over other professionals in the same areas of practice
• Ability to lead, influence and guide other professionals
• Ability to deal with any changes that may occur in the industry
• Ability to work in an effective manner
• Serving the community in a better way than before

What are Engineers Australia CPD Requirements?

The engineering professionals have to maintain a track record of 150 hours of CPD activities in the past 3 year’s timeline. Out of these 150 hours, the professionals should be able to demonstrate the following –

• a minimum of 50 hours related to their areas of practice
• a minimum of 10 hours related to risk management
• a minimum of 15 hours related to management skills and business competencies
• remaining hours should cover the activities that are relevant to their careers
• those who are working as engineering teachers or are working in the academic field should demonstrate 40 hours of CPD in the industry environment

Types of CPD

The Engineers Australia provides certain guidelines for specific types of CPD activities. Some of them are given below for your reference. However, these are not the only activities. The engineers may provide any structural activity that has the capacity of meeting the CPD policy.

1. Tertiary course or a formal postgraduate study conducted as a distance learning course or on campus
2. Participation in seminars, short courses, technical inspections, meetings, conferences and workshops
3. Any form of private study that can help in extending your abilities and knowledge
4. Learning activities are undertaken in the workplace that can enhance your skills
5. Volunteering, being a part of Chartered assessment panel, reviewing technical publications or being a mentor of a colleague
6. Working outside employment and preparing course materials, seminars and conferences
7. Teaching and other academic tasks

What is Engineers Australia CPD record sheet?

The Engineers Australia provides an online recording system to the professionals where they can record, track and maintain their CPD. The members of Engineers Australia can access it by logging into the engineers Australia portal through their EA IDs. Then they can record their activities and determine how well they are able to meet the CPD requirements and how much work needs to be done. The portal also provides a summary of the CPD which makes it easier for them to assess their CPD requirement fulfilment.

How can you make the most of your CPD?

Your Engineers Australia CPD is no less than an investment in your career as it not only increases your knowledge but makes you ready to grab better career opportunities. Hence, it is important to choose your CPD activity by considering the aspects of how it can act as a fruitful asset in your career. Here are a few tips to assess the activities you chose for CPD –

1. Consider the outcomes of the activities and if they are valuable to you
2. Consider if that activity would play a role in your current job profile
3. Consider the fact how these activities would allow you to help others like your colleagues and your employer or how these activities would be beneficial for them in some way
4. Consider if that activity holds any benefits that you can see in a longer time
5. Conduct a review of your CPD activities from time to time and find the further scope of improvement
6. Determine the challenges if any that you might have faced while continuing these activities and assess how you can overcome them