WHAT IS CPD?
The Construction Industry Training Advisory Board has this to say about Continuing Professional Development (CPD):
"The introduction of mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an important step in ensuring NSW has a professional home building industry capable of keeping pace with change.
The scheme will use avenues of professional development already available to the industry where appropriate - such as attendance at industry meetings or information sessions, participation on industry committees and undertaking training courses.
It will also recognise full-time work in the industry and involvement in apprenticeship training.
Builders, Supervisors and Contractors will be required to accumulate a specified number of points over a three year period. They will self-certify that these have been achieved by keeping a training diary. If they can't certify the minimum number of points over the required period, renewal of the licence will be refused.
Random audits will be conducted to gauge compliance and ensure the integrity of the system.
A training calendar will be prepared through the Construction Industry Training Advisory Board. It will include all seminars, workshops and courses conducted by industry associations and other training providers, as well as registered training organisations and tertiary institutions. This information will be circulated to the industry and promoted through the Home Building Service web site.
It is anticipated that the introduction of mandatory Continuing Professional Development will commence in March 2004.
The Home Building Service is responsible for the administration and monitoring of the continuing professional development program. These guidelines set out the requirements that must be fulfilled by the holders of individual contractor licences and Qualified Supervisors nominated and linked to a corporate or partnership licence in undertaking their continuing professional development.
Number of points to be completed:
A licensee or qualified supervisor certificate holder linked to a company or partnership licence must complete 100 points of continuing professional development over a three year period.
Types of activities to be completed:
The activities are grouped into categories of similar type allowing choice of a combination each year to satisfy the program.
Go to the citab webpage for more information or contact the Home Building Service on 1300 554 668 or your Industry Association.
Learning outcomes:
The content of a continuing professional development program must be of a significant knowledge or practical content, be relevant to the work covered by the licence and provide an educational outcome.
Training providers:
The continuing professional development program must be conducted by persons qualified to provide the training to be covered. All providers listed on this web site are required to meet minimum requirements. Make sure that the training or activity you undertake has been recognised for continuing professional development and has an activity number.
Compulsory and priority learning activities:
The Home Building Service may at times determine specific compulsory units or priority learning activities. Equally in any period a set of 'targeted outcomes' may be allocated additional points to encourage participation. If any of these are in your area then these will be listed on the web site.
Certification by licensee/certificate holder:
A licensee or qualified supervisor certificate holder must certify that they have achieved 100 points of continuing professional development in the previous three year period as part of the application for renewal of a licence.
Licensee/certificate holder record keeping:
A licensee or qualified supervisor certificate holder must keep a record of the actual activities undertaken and details of the points received.
The following records are acceptable:
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proof of attendance as issued by a provider
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receipts for purchases
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registered Training Organisation assessment
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proof that applicant has trained peers
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a log book.
Audit of licensee/certificate holder records:
Each year the Home Building Service will verify compliance with the scheme by conducting an audit of current licensees and qualified supervisor certificate holders. If it becomes apparent that false claims have been submitted, action may be taken against the individual licensee or qualified supervisor certificate holder to show cause as to why the licence or qualified supervisor certificate should not be suspended or cancelled.
Exemptions:
In exceptional circumstances the Commissioner may exempt a licensee or certificate holder from completing part or all of the requirements for continuing professional development. Circumstances for granting an exemption are limited and may relate to serious illness or misadventure.
Non-compliance by a licensee/certificate holder:
Failure to fulfil the continuing professional development requirement may result in the Commissioner refusing an application for renewal of a licence or qualified supervisor certificate. The Commissioner may refuse an application if the applicant fails to comply with a condition on the licence relating to continuing professional development."
TO CONFIRM YOUR PERSONAL OBLIGATION RE 'CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT',
WHY NOT VISIT THE OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING WEBSITE?
