Wicklow County Council (WCC) was recently awarded Engineers Ireland’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Accredited Employer Standard. We spoke with WCC Chief Executive Emer O’Gorman about the importance of the accreditation.

How important is CPD at Wicklow Co Council?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is extremely important. By establishing a cross-functional committee with representatives from all Directorates, we have ensured the necessary resources are available to the committee while accreditation was being sought. This approach ensures that each Directorate has representation, allowing them to play a role in the development of their technical personnel.

Damien Owens, Director General of Engineers Ireland, presenting Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, with the Engineers Ireland CPD Accredited Employer Standard parchment.

How important is it to be CPD Accredited by Engineers Ireland?
Receiving such a coveted award by Engineers Ireland enhances both our reputation and that of the local government sector. This recognition highlights the professionalism and expertise of our engineering and technician staff. It places Wicklow County Council among a select group of local authorities that have achieved this accreditation. This achievement demonstrates, to the wider engineering community and our citizens, the values that we uphold as we deliver a variety of services throughout the community. Accreditation by an external body is important to ensure our CPD policy has value, and the ongoing effort to maintain this accreditation ensures there is evolution of our system to remain useful and relevant.

Can you describe the benefits of the Standard for organisations in the public sector?
One of the main benefits of the Standard is that it supports our engineering staff with a clear pathway to achieving chartered titles, which benefits both the organisation and the individuals involved. In conjunction with this, the standard helps in the recruitment and retention of staff which has been a particular challenge that local authorities have faced in recent years. It informs our recruitment strategies and helps identify the key skills required for specific roles. It influences the performance management and development system fostering continual learning and professional growth among our engineering staff while promoting a culture of innovation. A key component of the standard is mentoring, and this again demonstrates the commitment to our staff and their career progression. Local Authorities provide essential services to their communities, and it is vital for us to demonstrate that our expertise and knowledge are continually maintained and enhanced through our work. It is also important for the wellbeing of our technical staff that their expertise and professionalism is recognised.

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman

What advice would you give to other county councils or public sector organisations seeking to achieve accreditation to Engineers Ireland CPD Employer Standard?
Achieving accreditation should be a strategic priority for senior management, and a CPD committee should be provided with the necessary resources required to achieve the standards. In Wicklow County Council, we appointed a member of the management team with an engineering background to chair the committee. This provided an essential link between management and the committee and demonstrated to all engineering staff the commitment of the organisation to achieving the standard.

The benefits of a systematic knowledge support system such as Engineers Ireland CPD Accredited Employer are well documented. It offers Local Authorities the opportunity to tap into the educational and vocational expertise of the broader engineering community in Ireland. By achieving and maintaining this accreditation, Local Authorities can further demonstrate their commitment to their technical staff.

What is your message to engineers who might be interested in a career at Wicklow County Council?

I am very focused on ensuring that we provide our staff with the opportunities to develop their skill set and facilitate continuous learning and development. Wicklow County Council has consistently provided strong support for its technical staff. With the recent accreditation, our team can be reassured that their technical and professional knowledge will be maintained at the highest level. Additionally, this accreditation guarantees a structured format for learning and mentoring throughout their careers.

Our staff work diligently to provide the best possible service, within the limited resources available to a relatively small local authority. The support offered by Engineers Ireland is therefore invaluable. At Wicklow County Council, we recognise that our employees are our greatest asset. By promoting career satisfaction and progression through training and education, we create an environment that fosters innovation and critical thinking.

A career with Wicklow County Council enables employees to serve their community and improve the lives of county citizens. I personally can’t think of anything more rewarding.