Geoscientist Online

Sir, We write in response to David James (Soapbox, Geoscientist 27.4 April).  From his article, it seems to us that he misunderstands CPD, and how the new system is intended to function. Mr James raises a number of issues to which we respond via bullet points.

• Firstly, from a comprehensive global survey of professional organisations across the English-speaking world, it was found that CPD is a universal requirement, to the extent that a simple definition of any professional is, inter alia, someone for whom CPD and its recording is a necessity.
• All Fellows should have been carrying out CPD in line with the Code of Conduct, and the new system brings its ongoing practice into the C21^st.
• Before its approval by Council (see November 2016 Minutes, available at https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/council) the new system was approved by both the Chartership and Professional Committees in March 2016. The report’s recommendations were also reviewed by teams appointed by each of the Regional Groups.
• The announcement to accept the new CPD recommendations was delegated to the Chartership Committee.
• Being ‘retired’ does not necessarily equate to being professionally inactive. What about occasional consultancy assignments, or pro bono advice to, say, charities?
• Mr James’s research activities most certainly come under professional activities; thus, they qualify as CPD.
• All CPD should be designed by the individual to suit his or her own needs and never for central bureaucrats – this latter has never been part of the old or new systems!
• While CPD most assuredly does not ensure competency, it is self-evident that competency demands that CPD is undertaken.
• Checks are made by an annual audit of 3-5% of Chartered Fellows CPD, selected at random, and to a set formal procedure.
• All CPD information submitted by Fellows remains strictly confidential to themselves, apart from information essential to be able to perform an audit.
• The new CPD is designed to be simpler and wider -ranging and will not need many hours of recording. It should take not more than 2-5 minutes per event, additional to planning and reflecting time (say 1-2 hours per year).

EurGeol Eur Ing John Talbot, Chartership Committee Chair; Professional Accreditation Committee

EurGeol Chris Eccles, Vice-President, Chartership; Chairman, Chartership Committee