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ICE CPD Framework

ICE CPD Framework

Our activity as civil engineers is key to creating the world of the future and ensuring the infrastructure we have is safe, resilient, sustainable and delivers social benefit.

Part of how we do this is through our professional qualification and ongoing commitment to competence and professionalism through continuing professional development (CPD).

ICE’s CPD framework was developed by the ICE Professionalism Panel in consultation with ICE’s expert networks. The framework presents themes with recommended learning content for professionally qualified ICE members to undertake as part of their annual CPD.

ICE’s CPD guidance provides further details to support you in preparing your CPD plan.

Why has the ICE introduced the framework?

The initial catalyst for introducing the framework was ICE's 2018 In Plain Sight report, which recommended topics covering risk management and public safety in which civil engineers must continue to demonstrate competency if they are to play their role in improving society.

Although, safety is an important challenge for civil engineers, the framework has been broadened to include themes such as delivery excellence, decarbonisation, and nature and resilience.

Who is the framework for?

The framework is aimed at professionally qualified members, those holding a CEng, IEng or EngTech qualification.

However, the themes may also be relevant to members from other membership grades to cover as part of their professional development. 

How to apply the framework

There are seven themes in the CPD Framework which is comprised of three mandatory themes and four additional recommended themes. The ICE requires professionally qualified members to introduce the mandatory themes into their CPD planning and invites them to consider the additional recommended themes.

Over the course of each year, the ICE will release CPD learning content on the on the ICE Knowledge Hub that aligns with the themes in the framework. This will be a source of learning on the themes that members can engage with.

Access to the learning content on the ICE Knowledge Hub is an ICE member benefit and is available to all members online.

Each theme has a sample of learning content that members can complete as part of their professional development. Members are invited to self-select from the sections below according to what is most relevant to them.

Mandatory themes

All professionally qualified members must undertake CPD activity relating to at least one of the three mandatory themes every year, ensuring that all three themes are covered during a three-year rolling period.

Professionally qualified members must include the mandatory themes in their CPD planning and include any activity they undertake relating to these in their CPD records.

Below are some ICE learning resources members might find useful.

Sustainability and carbon

Nature positive solutions and resilience 

Additional themes

ICE Knowledge Hub

To access the learning above, members will need to access the ICE Knowledge Hub.

To make it as easy as possible for users to access the new platform and explore its content, we have temporarily removed the need to log into it with a password.

Frequently asked questions

All professionally qualified members must undertake CPD activity relating to at least one of the three mandatory themes every year, ensuring that all three themes are covered during a three-year rolling period. The mandatory themes are as follows:

  • Ethical and professional behaviour, including the ICE Code of Professional Conduct.
  • Safety and risk management.
  • Sustainable development, including decarbonisation and the application of nature-positive solutions.

If you are retired and no longer doing any work requiring you to apply engineering competence, you won’t need to provide evidence that you have engaged with the mandatory themes, but you may find the CPD framework useful. 

As a student or graduate member, you are not required to provide evidence that you have engaged with the mandatory themes but you may find the CPD framework useful for your learning.

Professionally qualified members must include the mandatory themes in their CPD planning and include any activity they undertake relating to these in their CPD records.

If requested, you should be able to send the ICE a record of your past year’s CPD activity, along with a short statement clarifying your engagement with the mandatory themes over the year.

From 2027, the ICE will monitor professionally qualified members’ engagement with the CPD framework’s mandatory themes through the annual CPD audit. From 2029, sanctions may be applied, in line with the current policy, to members who fail to engage with the mandatory themes.

The current exemptions policy for CPD recording also apply for the mandatory themes. The exemptions are set out in the CPD guidance.

The CPD framework sets out seven themes: the three mandatory themes plus four additional ones – delivery excellence, energy, transport and water.

Each theme is supported by educational content accessible on the ICE Knowledge Hub that members can consume as part of their professional development.

Yes. You can review the updated guidance on the ICE’s website. This provides information to help you plan and record your CPD.

Anything that contributes to your learning and development can count as a CPD activity, including:

  • Attending courses, seminars and conferences;
  • Reading relevant publications;
  • Conducting web-based research; and
  • Pursuing personal development activities

CPD activity can be both formal and informal.

Please see appendix D of the CPD guidance for more examples of development activities.

The ICE Knowledge Hub is a platform offering access to a wealth of CPD-related content, including extensive material relating to the three mandatory themes. These resources are presented in various formats to suit users’ differing learning preferences.

Members are not limited to using resources provided by the ICE and can undertake any CPD activity they choose.

Please remember to highlight any activity you have completed in relation to the mandatory themes within your CPD records.

For queries about recording your CPD, please contact [email protected]

For queries about the CPD framework or Knowledge Hub, please contact [email protected]

Connect to the Knowledge Hub

Connect to the Knowledge Hub

This online platform provides civil and infrastructure engineers with a range of content across various topics, designed to help civil and infrastructure engineers with their CPD.

Go to the hub

Looking to find out more about CPD Framework?

If you have a question about our CPD framework or just want to find out more, please contact us:

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