Continuing professional development - its role in enhancing competence

摘要

Even when fully qualified, an NDT engineer or technician should ensure that his or her knowledge is kept up to date. This may be achieved by attending courses, seminars or conferences. A carefully thought-out process of continuing professional development (CPD) is the key to success. CPD is the systematic acquisition of knowledge and skills and the development of personal qualities to maintain and enhance professional competence. CPD has several purposes, which will vary in relation to an individual's circumstances, needs and career progression. Very often, individuals will carry out CPD to provide assurance of their continuing competence in their current job. At other times, CPD may be undertaken to enable a different role within or outside of their organisation (which may have more management content or may not be purely an engineering role). Equally, CPD may help individuals to follow a longer-term career development plan or enhance their professionalism in a context wider than a specific job role. The focus of an individual's learning may therefore be on different areas of competence at different times.