Here is the best way to strucutre your CPD activities.
Make sure you attend some CPD validated events during the year. You should always enquire whether the event is validated for CPD credits and for which council. There are lots of councils in South Africa and they all have their own CPD system. The various councils also do not recognises each others CPD validated events. (e.g. ECSA and SACNASP).
You can chose when to do your category 1 activities, all in one year or spread them out over the 5 year cycle. We have created an on-line solutions for professionals to gain access to CPD validated material, articles and courses.
The work-base activities are very easy to obtain, most scientist work more that 800 hours per year. We don’t want to see your contract or work related activities or any sensitive information. We only need a letter from your employer confirming your employment.
If you do mentoring then you have a bonus 5 credits in the pocket. Make sure you keep a record of your mentoring meetings and programme. We will need a list of candidates.
It is worth belonging to a SACNASP recognised Voluntary Association. Most professional people belong to a VA of some sorts. This action will bring in 5 more credits.
Most of the professional people already participate in category 3B activities, it is just a matter of capturing the information. Just make sure you have some form of proof or supporting evidence.
Note – If one looks at the activities, credits and the requirements then one quickly realises that the system is not onerous at all. The CPD system is also a quality management system which means, you as a professional, already have enough credits it is now a question of capturing the info.
What will happen if you are not compliant?
SACNASP is committed in creating a culture of self improvement and self development. In this spirit SACNASP will help the registered professional to meet the minimum requirements. The will mean a consultation process and access to validated training material. There will also be an extension for these individuals depending on the reasons for not complying.
This is not a policing system, this is a system to create a culture of professional and personal growth.