What counts as CPD?
Why formal CPD?
Formal CPD is planned, structured activity that contributes to the rounded, professional development of an engineering professional. It should match the needs and requirements of the employer as well as enhancing the ‘skills for life’ of the individual, so it is important to plan and agree the expected outcome, as well as recording the training/CPD input.
CPD types and time credits
Target: Record a minimum average of 5 days formal CPD for each engineering employee (engineers and technicians) per annum.
In considering a broad approach to CPD, we recommend that individual engineers / technicians should ensure that a minimum of 3 days of CPD p.a. is achieved under headings 1.1 to 1.3 below.
This is particularly relevant where individuals are pursuing professional titles, such as Chartered Engineer, or inclusion on the International Register of Professional Engineers, where specific requirements relating to training activity apply.
Type time – credit
- classroom training – actual duration
- lectures - actual duration
- computer based course - actual duration
- formal induction training – actual duration
Senior Staff:
- Teaching classes / Tutoring – actual class time plus materials preparation time
Type Time – credits
- Relevant Masters degrees from an institution recognised by Engineers Ireland - up to 50 days (25 days University or equivalent p.a. over 2 years)
- Degree in engineering related subjects - up to 60 days (20 days University or equivalent p.a. over 3 years)
- Diploma in engineering related subjects - up to 20 days
- Certificate in engineering related subjects - up to 15 days
- Other relevant academic courses with qualifications - actual lecture time
Type Time – credits
- courses run by a recognised institution or training provider covering specific technical subjects, sector specific subjects or generic training (management, law, finance, accounting, health and safety, human resources, environmental issues, computer applications etc) - actual lecture time
Senior Staff:
- Courses such as Conflict Resolution, Management, Influencing Skills, PR & Media
- Training, Advanced-level training, Systems Thinking training etc – actual lecture Time
Type Time – credits
- attending a relevant lecture – actual lecture time
- organising a technical conference or lecture series - up to 3 days per annum
- participating in a committee, council or special task force - actual meeting time (up to 3 days per annum)
Senior Staff:
- preparing and delivering a paper - up to 3 days per annum
This is
covered by the allowances for Masters, Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates shown above in 1.2
For those sitting other formal examinations not covered by 1.2, actual exam time is allowable as an additional CPD time.
- Targeted visits of a learning nature or active attendance at a work-related conference/seminar when the cost is borne by the company or individual as an expense (i.e. not chargeable to a client) is allowable as a CPD credit.
- Visits to overseas company or installation would fall into this category where planned as a developmental activity.
Credit - actual time at venue or site
Where candidates successfully achieve a registered professional title (e.g. CEng, AEng, Eng Tech), one day’s CPD credit can be allocated for the application and professional interview process.
Where structured reading is identified as part of a developmental plan (e.g.familiarisation with new legislation or new technology) a maximum of one day’s CPD credit per annum can be claimed.
Where formal knowledge sharing activities are planned and run in-house, the actual session times are allowable for CPD purposes, up to a maximum of two days per engineer per annum.
Staff who host a Technical Blog, deemed to be beneficial as a knowledge source to other technical staff, can claim 1 day’s CPD per annum
Staff who have completed formal training in Mentoring Skills and upkeep these skills by meeting with a designated Mentee, at minimum four times per annum, can claim 1 day’s CPD per annum as a Mentor
Engineers/technicians who volunteer to assist with the work of a registered charitable organisation, at home or abroad, can claim up to a maximum of 3 day’s CPD per annum, provided the volunteer work is of a technical nature and involves imparting technical skills and know-how to aid works, local citizens and so on.