ABOUT CPD

WHAT IS CPD?

CPD can be defined as the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills, and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout a person’s engineering career.

ECSA’s definition is widely drawn and not prescriptive so as to remain flexible enough to be relevant to all registered persons at all stages of their careers. The emphasis for meeting CPD requirements is not on the acquisition of credits for the attendance of academic or theoretical courses alone, but has been spread over three categories of activities, which would contribute to meeting the minimum CPD credits needed for renewal of registration. The categories are fully described in the Catagories of activities for CPD credits Section.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CPD SYSTEM

CPD is introduced for all registered persons in order to:

• ensure, through the creation of a culture of CPD, that all registered persons maintain their competence throughout their period of registration.
• meet the requirements of the Act.
• be the acceptable means for renewal of registration.
• meet the requirements for recognition of ECSA’s assessment process with regard to international agreements.
• ensure that those South African registered persons meet the requirements for their continued international registration.