INNOVATION March-April 2015

profes s iona l deve lopmen t

Survey Captures Members’ Feedback on Professional Development Bylaw

From December 12, 2014 to January 16, 2015, APEGBC members were encouraged to participate in a survey on the proposed Continuing Professional Development (CPD) bylaw. The bylaw, which will be brought forward for a vote in the fall, would establish a program requiring members to undertake a minimum amount of professional development each year and to report annually that this requirement has been met. The goal of the survey was to determine the general level of agreement with the proposed bylaw, and identify what concerns members have with the structure of the program and what further information they might require to better understand what is being proposed. A total of 5,168 members participated in the survey from December to January. Members were first asked to review the bylaw information, and then indicate their general level of agreement with it. Survey findings showed that 28.6% of members supported the bylaw, 42.8% were unsure, and 28.6% did not support it. Members who responded that they

those in specialized fields, more flexibility in categories of eligible professional development, and reducing the number of total hours required. Members were also asked if they intended to vote when the final bylaw is presented in the fall. About 81% of respondents indicated they planned to cast a vote in the ballot. Those who said they were not planning to vote listed as their reasons that they were about to retire or lived out of province, felt their vote was not needed, felt they did not have enough information, or disagreed with the concept. No questions were asked about how members intended to vote. The results of the survey are being brought forward to the CPD Committee and APEGBC Council for consideration. For additional information or questions about the proposed professional development bylaw, please contact cpd@apeg.bc.ca or 604.430.8035 or 1.888.430.8035.

were unsure if they supported the concept of mandatory professional development indicated that they were uncertain of tangible benefits, while some indicated support for doing CPD but were less convinced about reporting it, or had concerns about specific aspects of the bylaw. Members who said they did not support the bylaw felt there was no proven value to CPD, were concerned about costs and time commitments, and the availability of courses. Members who were semi-retired or working part-time also indicated concern about being able to meet the required professional development hours prescribed by the bylaw. Asked for their comments, members had suggestions for changes to the proposed bylaw. Common themes included exemptions for part- time or semi-retired practitioners or

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M A R CH/A P R I L 2 015

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