Continuous Professional Development Policy

Introduction

The knowledge and skills needed to function effectively as a Public Sector Official, hereafter referred to as members, in all three spheres of government or any other environment, continue to change and expand at a rapid rate. Members face increased knowledge and skills expectations.

Continued development of professional competence and lifelong learning are critical if members are to meet these expectations. Continuing Professional Development, or CPD, refers to learning activities that develop and maintain capabilities to enable members to perform competently within their professional environments.

Purpose

A member should perform professional services with due care, competence and diligence and has a continuing duty to maintain professional knowledge and skill at a level required to ensure that a client or employer receives the advantage of competent professional service based on up-to-date developments in practice, legislation and techniques.

Definitions

Objective

The objective of CPD is to assist members to develop and maintain professional competence in order to provide services of high quality in the public interest.

Measurement of completion of CPD can be achieved in different ways. The input-based approach attempts to measure completion by establishing a set amount of learning activity considered appropriate to develop and maintain professional competence.

The output-based approach requires members to demonstrate, by way of outcomes, what competencies have been acquired or maintained through CPD activities.

Primary Responsibility

The primary responsibility for competence lies with the member. All members have an obligation to develop and maintain their professional competence relevant to the nature of their work and professional responsibilities.

Compulsory Professional Development

Reporting Period

CPD will be reported on a three-year rolling cycle by reporting on a quarterly basis. For all new members, the CPD cycle commences in the year following registration.

Measurement

Members are required to complete credits of relevant CPD activity in a three-year rolling period as shown below.

Qualifying Programmes

CIGFARO will not prescribe specific courses, programmes, journals or other forms of learning or training material. Members are free to choose relevant CPD activities based on their identified learning and development needs.

CIGFARO will rely on the professional judgement of members when selecting appropriate learning activities.

Reporting and Record-Keeping

Members bear primary responsibility for documenting compliance with CPD activities. Members have two options for maintaining CPD records:

• Members may record CPD activities on CIGFARO’s online system. This is the preferred CIGFARO option.
• Members may provide CIGFARO with an annual declaration that they are undertaking a CPD programme.

A randomly selected sample of members following the annual declaration option will be subject to an annual verification process conducted by CIGFARO.

Members must therefore retain their own records of learning activities. Should a disciplinary matter arise where competence is in question, the member will be required to demonstrate compliance with the CPD policy.

Sanctions

Exemptions and Reductions

Members or associates may apply for exemption from or a reduction in CPD requirements based on retirement, extended leave of absence or other similar reasons.

The member is responsible for informing CIGFARO of any change in circumstances that could cause the conditions of an exemption or reduction to no longer be met.

Retired members over 60 years of age are exempt from declaring CPD annually, but still have an obligation to undergo CPD if they have professional commitments.

Conclusion

CIGFARO aims to promote a culture of excellence in which members and associates consistently deliver professional services of a high standard.

CIGFARO will provide a code of professional conduct that assists in monitoring professional competence while promoting the application of knowledge, professional judgement and an objective attitude.

The Institute Board believes that continuing professional development is important for every member to fulfil professional responsibilities and maintain appropriate standards, ethics and knowledge.