CPD (Continuing Professional Development)

 

What is Continuing Professional Development (CPD)?

 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the means by which ACS members maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise and competence, and develop the qualities required in their professional lives. The updating of skills and knowledge is critical in keeping abreast of industry changes, maintaining professional competence and ensuring that qualifications do not become obsolete.


All ACS members are encouraged to advance their professional standing within the industry and complete CPD hours each year as part of their membership.

 
 

Ways to complete CPD?

 

There are a variety of methods to maintain, improve and broaden knowledge, expertise and competence - the range of professional development activities selected will vary according to individual career planning, area of expertise, learning style, identified needs, and timing and availability. The important point to remember is that the learning must be relevant to our industry, your current role or career aspirations. ACS recommends members focus their continuing professional development on a range of activities such as formal and informal events, peer and professional interaction and of course, ways to contribute to the profession through research, courses or white papers.

ACS members currently self-assess their CPD hours accumulated and can update their CPD activities within the online membership portal. CPD hours are awarded to appropriate activities on a 1:1 ratio, meaning, 1 hour of learning equates to 1 CPD hour.

 

 

Career break?

 

ACS understands that members lives sometimes take priority over their career development, which requires a career break. To help with these times, Certified Technologies must complete 60 hours of CPD and Certified Professionals much complete 90 hours of CPD over five years, rather than the standard three years.

 

A member is regarded to have had a career break if they have a period of leave from the workforce of at least six months, but less than five years, for any proper cause. 

 

Proper causes include:

  • a serious illness
  • parental leave
  • extended travel
  • caring for family members
  • involuntary unemployment
  • elite sporting or cultural pursuits
 
 
 

CPD Activities

 
Informal Activities
Structured courses
Workshops
Seminars

Readings

Technical training
Audio content
Structured courses

Video content

Peers & Professional
 Interactions
Structured courses
Mentoring/being a mentee
Seminars

Demonstrating a 
technical application
Technical training
Discussion group
Structured courses

Structured meetings

Contribute to our
 Profession
Structured courses
Presenting research
Seminars

Writing industry related
 articles/papers
Technical training
Technical training
Structured courses

Design and/or 
presenting a course
Formal Activities
Informal Activities
Peers & Professional
 Interactions
Contribute to our
 Profession
Structured courses
Workshops
Mentoring/being a mentee
Presenting research
Seminars

Readings

Demonstrating a 
technical application
Writing industry related
 articles/papers
Technical training
Audio content
Discussion group
Technical training
Structured courses

Video content

Structured meetings

Design and/or 
presenting a course
 

Recording your CPD

 

All ACS Members are encouraged to maintain a minimum of 15 CPD hours each year, however Certified Technologist and Certified Professional members are required to maintain a minimum of 20 CPD hours and 30 CPD hours each year respectively.To assist with career development and career breaks, ACS assesses member CPD over a rolling three (3) year period ie: 90 CPD house for Certified Professionals over any 3yr period.

ACS encourages members to engage, participate in and attend activities relevant to their role to increase their knowledge, skills and ability to succeed in the competitive business environment. The CPD must be relevant to our industry, current role, and career aspirations and some activities must pertain to professional ethics.

ACS conduct audits throughout the year by randomly selecting members to review their CPD activities. Audits are conducted by ACS Membership Team.

ACS recommends you maintain detailed supporting documents or evidence of all your CPD activities. Any false claims made in relation to CPD records and activities may be construed as misconduct under the ACS Code of Practice and Disciplinary Rules.

CPD Activity Allocation

Structured Courses

  • Delivered by recognised practitioner
  • Contains a comprehensive set of learning objectives
  • Delivers a specific learning outcome

Seminars: A presentation delivered to an audience on a particular topic or set of topics

 

Technical training:The process of learning how to more accurately and thoroughly perform the technical components of your role

 

Other relevant qualifications ( CPD provided upon application)

  • Nationally accredited industry qualification
  • Completion of relevant units/subjects within a qualification
  • Such as a degree or MBA.

Workshops: A brief intensive course emphasizing interaction and exchange of information among a (usually small) number of participants.

Reading: Reviewing relevant papers, such as in a book, magazine, newspaper, whitepaper, or notebook, or of electronic displays, such as computer displays, television or e-readers.

Audio/video content: Video on demand or audio and video on demand which allow members to select and watch/listen to video or audio content as needed

Mentoring or being Mentee:

  • For a member identified as a mentor who meets the ACS mentor requirements
  • For a member identified as a mentee who meets the ACS mentee requirements

Demonstrating a technical application: A method of teaching by example rather than simple explanation

Discussion group: An online forum for individuals to discuss various topics amongst each other An active member of a group of people asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, or solution.

Presenting research: Follows a specific, coherent format for articulation of research study results either oral or written with the purpose to inform, persuade or build good will

Design and/or presenting a course:

  • The process used to design a course; analyse, design, develop, implement and evaluate
  • Oral presentation of a structured course

Writing industry related articles/papers: Production of an article/paper for a recognised industry publication or forum