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Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
All members (excluding student members) have a professional obligation to undertake a minimum of 35 hours structured CPD in any one year, May to April. This is for the members’ own benefit, and for that of the Institute, and is embodied in CIAT’s Code of Conduct. Members should also, where possible and appropriate, support the professional development of fellow members and potential members of their profession.
It is worth remembering that any professional qualification gained has a limited shelf life when considered against the length of careers. The knowledge obtained when qualifying does not remain at the same level but is updated by training and personal experiences, i.e. by continuing professional development.
The Institute defines CPD as ‘the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill for the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout the practitioner’s working life’. This definition is shared by other professionals in the Construction Industry Council (CIC), of which CIAT is a member.
Every year CIAT will undertake random monitoring of the eligible membership. Failure to reply to this monitoring could result in members being monitored for their CPD for three years to ensure that they demonstrate their compliance. Any failure to undertake the CPD requirements could result in referral to the Conduct Committee for breach of the Institute’s Code of Conduct.
Guidance notes for CPD
The Institute considers that it is the responsibility of the individual to determine their own requirement for CPD. Members are required to develop their own Personal Development Plan (PDP) at the beginning of each year to identify CPD activities they wish to undertake in support of their own objectives. Both the plan and the card will be provided annually by the Institute.
Completion of the Personal Development Plan (PDP) and CPD record card
- your CPD is personal — you should complete your PDP at the beginning of each year, this will assist you in determining your CPD requirements which should be relevant in your area of expertise or future career
- you are encouraged to consult with your employers when developing and reviewing your PDP
- you must keep a record of your CPD activity — you should then indicate the type of activity and the number of CPD hours undertaken on your record card
- CPD hours only include those where professional development has been achieved
- you should keep a file of all CPD activity undertaken — you can show this to employers and clients
- unless asked, you will not be required to send your PDP and record card to CIAT
You should:
- use CPD as a necessary (and stimulating) experience to develop new talents and skills
- identify and honestly appraise personal shortcomings in your role as a professional in the field of Architectural Technology
- consider interests and responsibilities
- think about changes which affect you personally or the profession at large
- appraise present tasks and performance
- consider career development or transition to a new role
- consider how you will develop corporate, personal, management and technical skills
- define priorities; short, medium and long term needs
- consider time and costs available
- think laterally; CPD is not necessarily expensive
- consider networking through CIAT and other professional meetings
- find practical ways to meet your needs
- expand on day-to-day maintenance of knowledge and skills
- record and re-assess your CPD efforts on a regular basis
- check progress and discuss with colleagues
- modify and improve your plan as necessary
- avoid downgrading CPD to a hunt for CPD certificates
Employers’ involvement
Many employers provide company CPD programmes to ensure employees are kept up to date. Once both your requirements and that of your employer have been identified, your employer should assist, where possible, in allocating time and resources for training.
CPD activities
- structured reading of books and periodicals
- use of distance learning text, DVDs and CDs
- writing articles/technical papers
- private study including systematic study of literature or even learning a relevant language
- recording on-the-job research
- studies leading to a further qualification or academic award
- teaching — for those in practice
- practice — for those in teaching
- examining or tutoring
- committee/community/Institute work which extends peer group learning
- CPD clubs
Organised CPD includes
- in-house seminars
- joint programmes with other practices
- local CPD events, arranged by CIAT or other
- Regional/Centre CPD events, courses and seminars
- conferences and courses
- structured trade presentations
- programmes organised by CPD consultants
CPD demonstrates to clients, colleagues and the public at large the commitment of practising members to be well informed and up-to-date in their sphere of involvement.
It is a matter of record that exercising due skill and care depends upon keeping abreast of developments. Here is a reminder of the key benefits of completing CPD:
- it focuses the individual member’s attention on what is necessary to remain competent by keeping up-to-date
- it allows the employer to develop a structured training scheme for employees
- it shows that the Chartered Instiutute of Architectural Technologists is promoting competence in its membership
- it shows the public that it is served by a profession intent on maintaining high standards
