More than 20,000 members have so far signed up for IOSH’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme, but there are still some of you out there who have failed to enrol.
If you haven’t signed up for CPD yet and don’t do so by the end of 2007, you’ll risk losing your member grade, as the current paper-based scheme will close and be replaced by the revised online scheme.
Transitional arrangements are in place to allow members who were either fellows (FIOSH) or members (MIOSH), but who were not Registered Safety Practitioners (RSP), to do the two-year CPD cycle required to become chartered members.
IOSH’s director of professional affairs, Hazel Harvey, warns time is now running out for members who haven’t enrolled for the online CPD scheme: “We’ve had over 10,000 members become chartered safety and health practitioners since IOSH was granted chartered status in November 2005, but there are more out there who could be on course for chartered status, but have yet to enrol for CPD.
“Some people might think that CPD means you have to attend events, or go on expensive courses to obtain CPD points, but that isn’t true. There’s a whole range of activities that contribute to a person’s development, and it is the outcome of the activity that really matters.
“Most CPD should come from your normal working environment on a day-to-day basis, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t value in attending an IOSH CPD course, or doing a qualification. But you should not think of courses like, for example, the new MSc in occupational health at Nottingham University, as the only way to do your CPD.”
Technician members (TechIOSH) are also required to enrol for CPD, and also need to register for the online scheme before the end of 2007.
Adds Hazel: “The transitional arrangements are precisely that — transitional. They are not something we can keep open for ever. So if you are a fellow, member, or technician member who hasn’t registered for CPD yet, you need to do so quickly, or you could lose your membership grade.”
If you were an affiliate member prior to the 2005 changes and hold a NEBOSH General Certificate and can demonstrate five years’ experience on your up-to-date CV, you might also be able to move to technician membership. Affiliate members who joined after 1 November 2005 can become technician members after completing one year’s CPD on the online system, providing you have five years’ experience.
For guidance on CPD, please contact the CPD team on 0116 257 3239, or e-mail [email protected] If you have a query about changing your designation, or any other membership-related issue, contact the membership team on 0116 257 3198, or e-mail [email protected]
