print this page Continuing Professional Development - Now a Reality By Wayne Caston, P.Geo., MCIP, RPP, (Chair, APGO Continuing Professional Development Committee) At this stage, I thought it would be useful to explain the program to our members, and report on the final decisions made by the CPD Committee based on the extensive feedback received from you, the Executive Committee and Council. APGO's CPD program has been structured to be consistent with similar mandatory programs in other Canadian jurisdictions, which regulate Professional Geoscientists. The APGO program is specifically patterned after the program of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geoscientists and Geophysicists of Alberta currently in place. While the CPD programs of some provincial or territorial regulatory organizations are still voluntary, full implementation of APGO's program in 2006 will mean that the majority of Professional Geoscientists licensed in Canda are subject to mandatory Continuing Professional Development. For APGO members licensed in more than one Province or Territory, a single Declaration Form should be sufficient for all jurisdictions. APGO is also actively working with CCPG (The Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists) to encourage common national CPD requirements and a single standard Declaration Form for use all across Canada. It is the responsibility of the individual member to decide which CPD activities, in his or her professional judgment, are best suited to their specific requirements as a practising Professional Geoscientists. Active participation in a CPD program is particular advantage for members seeking employment or advancement opportunities. Employers also have an important role to play in CPD, particularly if the employer is an APGO Certficate of Authorization holder. Certificate holders are required to support member employees in CPD activities. However, the primary responsibility for CPD still rests with the individual APGO member. There are six activity categories in the APGO's CPD program:
given the particular characteristics of our profession. Further, excess CPD Hours may be carried forward for a maximum of two years, thus allowing additional flexibility. Finally, a member may request a tempory exemption from the CPD program under certain conditions. CPD tracking and recording forms for each category will be available to assist members should they choose to use them. However, only one document - the Declaration Form - is to be forwarded to APGO on a annual basis by participating on a voluntary basis in 2005 will submit thier Declaration Form, either electronically, by FAX or by mail, no later than June 30, 2006. Detailed records of CPD activity are not submitted to the APGO, but they should be maintained by the member in case of an audit. Audit panels will be established in 2007 to assess compliance of APGO members with requirements of the CPD program after mandatory participation commences. Up to five percent of the membership can expect to be audited in any one year. Selection for a CPD audit will be based on a number of factors:
As a incentive to participate in the voluntary program in 2005, those members submitting Declaration Forms by the deadline in 2006 will have the opportunity to carry forward excess CPD Hours into 2006, the first year of the mandatory program. APGO's CPD program has been established to clearly indicate to members of the public that, as a self-regulating profession, we are actively encouraging our members to maintain and enhance the highest standards of technical competence, professionalism and dedication to public welfare. |
For more information on APGO, please contact info@apgo.net |