Mandatory Continuing Professional Development – Bylaw Vote This Fall
The Professional Renewal Task Force (PRTF) was established to examine APEGBC’s processes with the goal of ensuring that they function in the public interest and are consistent with the best practices of self-regulatory bodies. The task force recently reviewed APEGBC’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program and recommended that Council support the implementation of a mandatory CPD program.
The task force recognizes that professional development is closely linked to a member’s professional interests and career aspirations and therefore recommended that the mandatory program provide flexibility for a self-directed approach to learning that supports the member in their current position and their long-term career objectives. The program should allow members to assess their professional development needs and undertake activities that provide benefit to the practice of their profession.
Council passed the recommended motion at the March 2009 meeting and directed that a bylaw be drafted to implement a mandatory CPD program for Council approval and member ratification. This program would include a minimum activity level and required reporting. Members will be asked to vote on the bylaw this fall. Should the membership vote in favour of the bylaw, the mandatory program would come into effect January 2011. APEGBC’s current CPD guideline would be updated to reflect the bylaw requirements.
Currently, APEGBC has a voluntary program where minimum activity levels are recommended and members are given an opportunity to report whether they are meeting these minimum levels. For the 2008 calendar year, 40.9% of members reported that they are working toward compliance with the CPD Guideline.
Further program details and bylaw information will be made available in the July/August issue of Innovation.