Skip to content
 

CPD FAQs

The Information and Help page should answer any questions you might have, but if you have any queries that aren't answered here, please contact us.


 Who will look at my CPD record and why?

You will! It is one place to record activities that might go into your cv. If going through the Chartership process, or applying to become EurGeol, your assessors will look at the record as evidence of a serious approach to professional development. If applying to become a Scrutineer, the selection process requires evidence of a professional approach to CPD.

We will – as part of the audits of CPD activity that we carry out to ensure that Fellows meet the requirements of the chartering authorities (ourselves, the Science Council, and the European Federation of Geologists).


 How many points do I need?

As a guide, 60 points is adequate to show sufficient commitment. You can carry ‘excess’ points over, but it is better to record what you need and to make sure that the balance of activities aligns with your ‘plan’ and ‘reflect’ components.


 What happens if I don’t clock up enough points?

We will not throw you out without reading what you have to say in the text boxes before and after the entered activities. Far from it. There are many good reasons why Fellows might not gather enough points, such as maternity leave or a break in employment. Your CPD activity can help you through such periods.


 I spend most of my time managing staff, some not geologists – how can I accumulate CPD that is recognised by the Society?

This happens to many of us as we progress. The Society recognises the immense value that geologists bring to more senior roles in organizations, and it is entirely appropriate to enter CPD activities that reflect the acquisition of management skills and experience.


 I work in Industry; how can I contribute to knowledge?

This is not the primary area of your work and hence you may just occasionally be involved in this area of CPD when you publish a paper/report or give a presentation at a Specialist Group meeting or conference. Your contribution to knowledge is more commonly going to be ‘in house’ where you transfer knowledge to your colleagues.


 I work in Academia; can’t I clock up all my CPD as ‘contributing to knowledge’?

Contributing to knowledge is the primary function of academic work; hence much can be classed as normal professional activity. Work producing published papers however would be classed as contributing to knowledge CPD. It is important that a balanced portfolio of activity is recorded with the learning associated with research activity likely to fall into the category of CPD in Professional Practice.


 What about teaching?

If you teach at whatever level you will increasingly do so within the framework of recognised skills development. University staff can record activities associated with the Higher Education Academy as CPD, including under Professional practice specific learning and achievements in teaching. Reading and learning in order to develop courses fits under Informal learning. Development of new courses is Professional Practice. Presentations and attendance at conferences, such as that of ESTA, are CPD.


 When I try and access my CPD, I am being told this facility is only available to Fellows. I am already logged in, why can’t I access my CPD?

All Fellows are pre-registered on our website, if you have created any other user profiles please refrain from using them as these will not recognise your Fellowship status. To obtain a reminder of your Fellowship login details, please use the forgotten username/password links on the login page.


 How do I close a CPD period?

When you are sure that you have finished entering your CPD activity for all three years, click the ‘Close’ link on any of the annual view pages, or on the 3-year summary page. Note that the reporting system will allow you to close a period, even if you have not met the scheme requirements for all three years. (This is so that you can start a new reporting period, irrespective of whether you have fulfilled all the requirements of the previous one.) The system will tell you whether or not you have fulfilled the requirements before you confirm that you wish to close the reporting period.


 Can I re-open a closed CPD period?

You will not be able to edit, delete or add to activity in a closed reporting period. However, you can re-open a closed reporting period, as long as it is your most recent, and you do not have a current open reporting period. You will then be able to make changes to your re-opened reporting period, which you must close again before starting a new one. (No more than one reporting period is allowed to be open at any time.) If you have already opened a new reporting period before realising that you want to make changes to your previous one, you will have to delete the activities you have added to your current reporting period (you should temporarily copy and paste them into a Word document), and then delete the reporting period itself by clicking the link at the bottom of the page, before the system will let you reopen the previous closed reporting period.


 How do I print my CPD record?

We would advise accessing the website using Firefox internet browser where ever possible to print off any of your CPD records. If you do not have access to FIrefox and are accessing the website via Internet Explorer, you may find you can only print out the first few lines of your CPD activity. This can be resolved by highlighting the contents of the CPD table (and not any of the surrounding webpage), then choosing to print 'Selection' in the print range.


 Where can I find a full explanation of the requirements of the CPD scheme?

The requirements, an explanation of the categories and activity types, and other terms used in connection with the scheme can be found on the Scheme Requirements and Glossary page.