IEMA has launched a new approach to continuing professional development (CPD), making the process mandatory and meaningful for all members with a professional grade.
The new process aims to support members to set personal career goals and reflect achievements.
It consists of two new forms, intended to be used alongside other membership tools, such as the IEMA skills and benefits maps. Together the tools can be used to identify areas for development and ambition, and to identify relevant CPD opportunities before recording all learning, and reflecting on the value and impact of each activity on the forms throughout the year.
Results from IEMA’s recent membership survey – which closed just before the new CPD approach was launched – revealed that just 43% of members actively maintained a CPD record. Of those, 58% said their primary reason for partaking in CPD was that it encouraged them to keep their knowledge and learning up to date. A further 19% of respondents said it helped to achieve their career goals.
Reading the environmentalist each month came out as the most popular CPD activity, with reading other relevant materials second. Participating in webinars also scored highly as learning and development opportunities. CPD activities that are easy to access, such as webinars, and which quickly help members to be up-to-date (specifically reading the environmentalist) scored the highest in terms of value.
Members have been granted a one-year head-start on goal-setting and recording CPD. From September 2017, members will be asked to show they have maintained a CPD record in order to renew their professional membership grade. A random sample will also be called in each year. Members are encouraged to begin setting their development goals now, and are invited to send in their forms so IEMA can assess the demand for specific CPD activities.
To set your goals and start your CPD record, visit iema.net and log into the MyIEMA section.
