In its fourth meeting of the year, the ICE Council discussed the approach to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and looked ahead at refining the knowledge agenda.
It was fantastic to once again welcome council members into One Great George Street for my final meeting as ICE president.
I have been immensely grateful for their valued support, and the input they offer into the institution’s work.
CPD and professionalism
Director of membership Séan Harris took council members through a recap of the journey that the ICE has taken in getting to the point of recommending a range of topics that members should undertake as part of their CPD.
Professional engineering institutions have required their members to undertake CPD for a number of years and in 2018 recording this became compulsory.
In the intervening years, several reports, including the ICE-commissioned In Plain Sight report, have recommended new approaches to CPD in order to assure society of the competence of engineers.
As a result, ICE introduced a new CPD framework in 2021 covering core topics including safety, risk and ethics, which it recommended members cover when undertaking CPD.
To support members with their development, ICE has introduced an engaging new Knowledge Hub, offering over 60 learning modules.
At their last board meeting, trustees supported the idea of moving progressively towards the goal of further ensuring the competence of engineers by exploring through-career competency checks.
Council members discussed how far the institution should go beyond that required by the Engineering Council.
Several interesting points were made, including the need to consider the international landscape, the need to engage employers, and that it was essential that modules provided by the ICE were kept up-to-date and fit for purpose.
Council members were asked to consult with their peers and in their organisations before convening in December to discuss the feedback they have received.
Refining the knowledge agenda
The day began with the launch of the ICE’s flagship State of the Nation report which looks at how we can improve infrastructure productivity, a key theme of my presidential year.
Attendees also heard from some of our Community Advisory Board (CAB) chairs on the progress they have been making on council-mandated programmes.
It is programmes like this, that the ICE puts together as part of its lifelong learning offer, that makes membership of the institution so valuable.
And it is vital that council members offer their insight into the contemporary knowledge topics that the ICE should be looking at across the next 18 months.
The session that followed offered a chance to do just that, and it was interesting to see the range of themes that emerged.
From how we measure the impact of infrastructure on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) to how we can contribute to improved biodiversity and encourage a more collaborative culture.
It is clear that council members are approaching their role in being the pinnacle of the learning society with real enthusiasm, and I am certain that some of these emerging ideas will greatly contribute to improving our industry.
