The CPD process
Criteria
Criteria
There are 12 criteria in total that make up the process of being considered for CPD Accredited Employer status. However, only the first 8 of these are mandatory for all organisations, small and large.
Mandatory criteria for accreditation
To be considered for CPD Accredited Employer status, your organisation should provide evidence of the following mandatory good CPD systems and practices:
1. Internal CPD Committee
2. CPD Policy
3. Performance management and development system
4. Formal CPD – minimum 5 days average per annum recorded
5. Mentoring for professional development
6. Linkages with professional institutions/learned bodies
7. Knowledge sharing activities
8. Evaluation of CPD impact
Advisory good practices
Employers of more than 100 engineers and technicians will be asked to address:
9. Postgraduate educational activity
10. Competency frameworks / Talent management
Only larger organisations with complex operations and rapid rate of change will be audited against the full 12 criteria.
11. Advanced knowledge management practices
12. Fostering of creativity and innovation
Step-by-Step
Our process
Our tried-and-tested process has proven flexible enough to suit both large and small organisations. We take into account the differing CPD needs of a wide range of engineering technologies and markets and work closely with all employers to bring about real value-add benefits.
The steps involved
Contact
Formal contact between Engineers Ireland and the employer. We are happy to present to your management, engineering and HR/Training team.
Set goal
Agree CPD Accreditation as an Organisational Goal. Agreement that the scheme is relevant and signal intention to pursue accreditation
Guidelines
e-Guide to Implementing CPD. Access granted to our CPD Accredited employer web area to download support materials
Gap analysis
In conjunction with Engineers Ireland’s CPD team, review status of CPD systems and practices in your organisation
Implement
Implement CPD Systems and Practices. Address any gaps using our on-line e-Guide. Avail of expert consultancy from Engineers Ireland’s CPD Accreditation team
Submit
Written Submission to Engineers Ireland. Complete Accreditation checklist to demonstrate that all necessary criteria have been fulfilled
Audit
Engineers Ireland Accreditation Audit. A ½ day or a 1 day audit of systems and practices against criteria
Award
CPD Accredited Employer. Formal approval by Engineers Ireland for up to 3 years with an annual report. Ongoing CPD support and consultancy from Engineers Ireland
PR
Recognition. Award of framed certificate with attendant P.R. and publicity. Use of ‘Engineers Ireland CPD ACCREDITED EMPLOYER’ logo
Network
Benchmarking. Accredited organisations are eligible to attend the annual CPD Symposium which discusses advances in CPD. They are also eligible to compete in the Engineers Ireland CPD Company of the Year Award competition.
Fees
How much does it cost?
Thankfully, through government funding and co-funding from Engineers Ireland, all fees are kept to an absolute minimum.
The standard audit fee is just €1,850, payable after accreditation, as a contribution towards the audit expenses.
Re-accreditation fees may be more or less, depending on the size of your organisation, but all fees are nominal.
Who should take part?
Who in your organisation should be involved?
All engineers and technicians working in the organisation should be involved (degree, diploma, and certificate). A minimum average of 5 days CPD per year must be planned and recorded for each engineer and technician.
Note that engineers no longer working in engineering roles should be included also as CPD is about lifelong learning through an engineer’s career.
You will need to form an internal CPD Committee to project manage achievement of the standard. This committee should report to senior management. It should include representatives from all key functions including engineering, HR, Training, Quality, Finance, etc.
