The importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has increased in recent years from the perspective of both the public and self-regulating professions.
The engineering and geoscience associations across Canada have made CPD programs a priority, and APEGS is no different.
The proposed changes to APEGS’ CPD Program will be presented for approval by the member- ship at the 2018 annual meeting. APEGS took the opportunity to meet with Peter Jackson, P.Eng., FEC, FGC(Hon.), senior vice-president, Mosaic operations (and an APEGS Past President), to discuss the importance of CPD for the professions as well as what industry can do to support CPD.
“As a self-regulated profession, APEGS has been given the responsibility to ensure that our members are competent to practise in their chosen professions and maintain that competency for the duration of their careers,” said Jackson.
“This is no different than any other profession such as doctors and lawyers.”
APEGS also has an obligation to safeguard the public and to ensure that members practise their professions with the public’s interest held paramount.
“The addition of the requirement for an annual ethics refresher is a positive move,” said Jackson. “I am a current member of the APEGS Investigation Committee, and most of the complaints that we receive relate to professional conduct, which ultimately comes back to ethical behaviour.”
Engineering and geoscience associations across Canada have implemented, or will be implementing, a similar requirement.
“Mosaic has always emphasized the need for our employees to continually enhance their skills,” said Jackson.
“We support our employees in a number of ways. First, we align our engineering/geoscience progressions in time scale and requirements with those of the professions’ Member-In-Training program. Once they complete our program, their training and experience should allow them to meet the requirements to become professionals. We also provide various leadership development programs which include formal training, coaching and evaluation. Assignment of specific technical courses is also a big part of our employee development. In addition, some of our managers have already built in a requirement for their engineers and geoscientists to comply with the APEGS CPD Program as part of their annual appraisal.”
“All professionals undertake professional development activities, almost every day,” said Jackson. “Reporting these activities to APEGS is a small ask to be able to support our professions in providing the public with the assurance that we continue to be competent to protect their safety.”
APEGS is holding Town Hall meetings throughout the province to raise awareness about the changes to the CPD Program. Additional information about the proposed changes and the schedule of the Town Hall meetings can be found on page 25 of this issue of The Professional Edge. Register for a Town Hall meeting at apegs.ca.
Continuing Professional Development Reporting for 2017
A draw was held to encourage members to report their 2017 CPD credits through their online profile by December 31. Thank you to the 27 per cent of members who reported and congratulations to the following winners of the draw:
Neil Struthers, P.Eng.
$200 Saskatchewan Roughrider gift card
William Lee, P.Eng.
$100 Visa gift card
Cory Belyk, P.Geo.
Gift certificate for a free day at an APEGS Professional Development event.
Let’s Speed Up Our Reporting!
Twenty-seven per cent of APEGS members reported their 2017 continuing professional development credits by December 31, 2017. Have you reported yet? If not, do your part to demonstrate your accountability to remaining competent as a professional. Report your 2017 credits by January 31, 2018, and let’s see if we can move the needle from 27 to 100! To report, log into your online profile at apegs.ca and go to the “My Details” tab.