Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill, and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional, managerial and technical duties throughout the practitioner's working life.

The Institute obliges all members to pursue a planned and active programme of personal development in order to maximise their professional competence.

Members should keep themselves up to date in technical and other areas directly or indirectly relevant to their occupations.

IOM3 policy on CPD - what does the Institute recommend?

The Institute is a Nominated Body of both the Engineering and Science Councils, and has adopted their recommendations regarding CPD. Key features are:

• Participation in CPD is the personal responsibility of members
• The recommended minimum amount of CPD a member should undertake is 5 days (35 hours) per year
• CPD should be planned and carried out in partnership with employers as far as possible. For example, annual appraisal systems operated by many companies offer an opportunity for members and employers to identify and agree a relevant CPD programme.

Some professional development will inevitably occur during normal professional activities, for example when a problem causes the individual to research an issue and to find and implement a solution where they could not previously have dealt with the situation. This should be recorded as CPD in terms of the benefit to the individual.

The Institute strongly recommends that members record their relevant CPD activities and the learning outcomes. A written account of increasing professional competence will be required for progression through the membership grade structure of the Institute and at any time when a member is called upon to demonstrate continued competence.

See CPD Guidelines for what activities you should be recording.

IOM3 members can now keep an online record of their CPD, (accessed via My Profile).

IOM3 Code of Practice on CPD - what should I be doing?

Members are strongly recommended to adopt the following Code of Practice:

1. Prepare a CPD plan. This should be a 1-5 year plan which takes account of employer's business objectives and the member's career intentions. Where possible the plan should be established in collaboration with the employer.
2. Record all CPD activities undertaken and identify the particular outcome and the benefits. Any unexpected or unplanned activities should also be recorded and counted towards the total. (IOM3 members can now record their CPD online.)
3. Review the plan and the record of actual activity at least annually and revise the plan accordingly.
4. Support the CPD of other staff, and encourage your employer to support CPD.

See CPD Guidelines for what activities you should be recording