CPD activities are not limited to attending formal courses, lectures and seminars.
They can also include:
- On-the-job learning
- Private reading and study
- In-house programmes
- CIBSE Regional, Special Interest Group, Society or Network meetings
- Professional Institution committee work
- Writing or peer reviewing papers and articles
- Authoring, contributing to or peer reviewing engineering guidance
- Supporting or mentoring others
- Volunteering on CIBSE or other professional body committees.
Examples of CPD activities
When recording your CPD activity, the activity type is categorised into structured, semi structured and un-structured activities.
The activity types are as follows:
- CIBSE public or corporate training courses
- Academic studies including vocational studies
- E-learning with assessment e.g. CIBSE on demand training with exams
- Formal courses
- Lecture and seminar attendance
- Low-carbon courses
- Professional body meetings with formal lectures
Unstructured
- Assisting and supporting others
- On-the-job learning
- Open/distance learning that is not assessed
- Private reading and study
As part of the CIBSE Journal CPD programme, each month the Journal provides modules to be completed. Simply study the module and complete the questionnaire. Each successfully completed module provides 1.5 hours of CPD. The CPD programme can also be found online. It is free and can be used by any reader: www.cibsejournal.com/cpd/modules/
Semi-structured
- CIBSE Society, Regional or Special Interest Group meetings
- Conferences and exhibitions
- For example, the CIBSE Technical Symposium or our annual Build2Perform exhibition
- E-Learning without assessment e.g. CIBSE on demand training
- Non-interactive lectures, talks, webinars e.g. CIBSE #GrowYourKnowledge webinars
- Other Institution technical meetings
- Presentations and workshops
- Writing of papers and articles
On-the-job learning activities which offer CPD opportunities might include:
- Attending technical presentations of new products/components, including CIBSE Approved CPD
- Interaction with professionals from other disciplines, for example at project and site meetings
- Leading and facilitating meetings and presentations of all kinds
- Understanding the demands of new regulations or legislation
- Departmental and interdepartmental meetings; bouncing ideas off colleagues
- Teaching, training, coaching, supporting / mentoring others. For example, new recruits
- Getting to grips with a new aspect of IT
- Managing a dispute or conflict situation
- Introducing innovative ideas in the building services design which adds value to the project with the supporting documentation
CIBSE members who are self-employed or working in a small or medium sized partnership or enterprise will find that the Institution provides support and services for professional development comparable to those which are to be found in a large company.
The difference is that our services are geared towards meeting individual rather than corporate objectives. If you are responsible for managing your own CPD – on which your reputation and professional practice ultimately depends – you should utilise the range of CIBSE services outlined here.
Every large organisation offers CPD opportunities. Naturally, these activities are meant to improve staff effectiveness in serving the needs of the business. Systems are designed to set objectives for departments, teams and individuals, and to monitor their achievement. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and an annual performance appraisal are just two examples of how personal skills development is linked to commercial targets.
*CPD also links to work appraisals and performance reviews and helps you evidence performance targets etc.
As an individual professional, it is essential for your development plan to be wholly owned by you. So, if you are employed in a large organisation you need to:
- Think about the ways in which your employer, directly or indirectly, supports your CPD.
- Make sure your employer is aware of how your CIBSE membership benefits them.
Most large firms are aware of the commercial benefits of employing recognised professionals. Something to think about to help get you started:
- What are my own professional and career goals?
- How can I use the opportunities provided at work to help me meet them?