Continuing Professional Development
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does the CPD program have to be mandatory?
From monitoring the discussions taking place at the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), it is likely that participation in a mandatory CPD program will be a requirement for international trade in professional services. Professional organisations around the world are moving relatively quickly to implement compulsory CPD programs for their members with varying consequences. BAPE is working tirelessly to ensure that the Engineering profession in Barbados is properly positioned to participate in the global market place. I attach herewith a summary of some of the mandatory CPD requirements for various professions around the world.
2. What are the penalties for non-compliance?
- Graduate members must complete the minimum CPD requirements to transfer to Corporate membership.
- Corporate members who fail to meet the minimum CPD requirements will be invited to an interview with the CPD Sub-committee and an interim arrangement will be designed specifically for that member. Interim arrangements will be designed on a case by case basis.
- Corporate members who blatantly reject the CPD program will be recommended to the Engineers Registration Board for de-registration.
3. What are the actual requirements?
The minimum CPD requirements are 5 CPD activities where a minimum of 3 of them must be Technical activities.
4. How is a CPD activity defined?
A CPD activity is defined as obtaining an additional skill or additional knowledge through personal research or attendance at a presentation.
5. What type of CPD activities qualify?
After considering the present relevant resources and opportunities available in Barbados and the region, the minimum CPD requirements were designed to be attainable and to allow full participation by all Engineers in Barbados.
The following activities have CPD value. The technical activities must have Engineering content.
| Technical (with Engineering content) Activities |
CPD Value |
|
Researching and preparing a technical article that is subsequently published in an international Engineering Journal |
3 activities per article |
|
Researching and preparing a technical article that is subsequently published in a publication that has a technical audience. Technical articles can be published in technical journals and newsletters including BAPE’s newsletter and journal |
2 activities per article |
|
Researching, preparing and making a technical presentation to a technical audience. Technical presentations can be made at any technical workshop, seminar, convention, conference, office, or anywhere where there is a technical audience |
1 activity per presentation topic |
|
Attending a technical presentation. Technical presentations can be made at any technical workshop, seminar, convention, conference, office, or anywhere where there is a technical audience |
½ activity per presentation topic |
|
Attending a short technical course. Courses must be a minimum of one-half day duration (3 hours minimum), otherwise they are counted as technical presentations |
1 activity per ½ day session |
|
Non-Technical Activities |
CPD Value |
|
Researching and preparing a non-technical article that is subsequently published. Non-technical articles can be published in newspapers, magazines, journals, newsletters, or any BAPE approved publication. |
1 activity per article |
|
Researching, preparing and making a non-technical presentation. Non-technical presentations can be made at any workshop, seminar, convention, conference, office, or anywhere where there is an audience. |
1 activity per presentation topic |
|
Attending a non-technical presentation. Non-technical presentations can be made at any workshop, seminar, convention, conference, office, or anywhere where there is an audience. |
½ activity per presentation topic |
|
Attending a short non-technical course. Courses must be a minimum of one-half day duration (3 hours minimum), otherwise they are counted as technical presentations. |
1 activity per ½ day session |
6. Is anyone exempt from the CPD program?
The following categories of persons are exempt from the CPD program.
- Members who are actively enrolled at university, Community College, BIMAP, or similar approved learning (including distance) institutions are exempt from the CPD program during the year that they are enrolled.
- Members who are not practising Engineering and who are not Registered with the Engineers Registration Board.
- Members who have retired and are no longer practising Engineering.
7. How is completing an activity verified?
- Once an article is published, a copy should be forwarded to the Secretariat with a note stating whether the article was technical or non-technical.
- Within one week of making a presentation, the Secretariat should be informed in writing (e-mail acceptable) of the presentation’s topic, date, venue, and whether the presentation was technical or non-technical.
- Within one week of attending a presentation, the Secretariat should be informed in writing (e-mail acceptable) of the presentation’s topic, date, venue, and whether the presentation was technical or non-technical. Since registration is required at BAPE luncheon presentations, informing the Secretariat after attending would therefore not be required.
- Within one week of completing a course, the Secretariat should be informed in writing (e-mail acceptable) of the course’s topic, date, venue, and whether the course was technical or non-technical. Since registration is required at BAPE courses, informing the Secretariat after attending would therefore not be required.
- Members enrolled at institutions of learning should provide the Secretariat with evidence of enrolment.
8. How will I know how many activities I have attended ?
At any time, members can request from the Secretarial the number of approved CPD activities that they have completed. Members will also be informed of the number of approved CPD activities that they have attended with their annual subscription notices.
9. When will I be called to give an account?
The programme is based on a three year moving total. Therefore a shortfall in any year can be made up in the following years, and any extra activities can be carried forward to for up to two years. The three-year total must not be less than 15 activities
