84 Y E A R B O O K 2 0 1 4 Different branches give advice in different ways, but all are set up to help those applying for full membership. If you have previously applied and had detailed feedback on your application, it is sometimes helpful for the branch to see the original application and the feedback, so that they can help you to address any concerns (see page 6 for branch contacts). CPD REQUIREMENTS Once you have achieved full membership of the institute you’ll need to ensure your skills remain up to date. Full members are expected to notch up 50 or more hours of continuing professional development (CPD) over any two year period. Evaluate your CPD needs regularly. Identify your professional strengths and weaknesses and seek out learning opportunities that address the necessary areas. CPD need not involve formal training events or structured study courses. Any form of on-the-job training may count. For example, if you are asked to undertake a project at work that requires you to learn new skills, or become familiar with a new material or process, this learning is likely to count towards your annual CPD requirements. The IHBC encourages members to think imaginatively about how they might best learn new skills and adapt their working practice, so keep an eye out for opportunities. However, in order for a CPD activity to count towards your 50 hours it must be demonstrably relevant to one of the IHBC core competences. A variety of topics and areas should be covered each year, so that members stay up to date in all areas of professional practice. Each year, a sample of IHBC full members is asked to complete a CPD return which details the type of CPD undertaken, the time spent on it, and the educational value of each event. CPD IN PRACTICE Some members have contacted the branch recently to say that they are having increasing difficulty convincing employers to pay for CPD as budgets are tightening. While we always emphasise the importance of CPD to employers, who benefit from having up-to-date, skilled staff, we recognise that it is becoming increasingly important for members to find the best available CPD at affordable prices and as close to home as possible. A key tool in convincing employers of your need for CPD is your annual review. Most companies include some kind of forward plan in the review, and this is a perfect opportunity to mention training needs. Make sure that you identify the relevance of any requested training for both your IHBC CPD requirements and your employment. If your job requires you to maintain your membership of the institute, this will support your case in justifying the necessary time and funds. There are a number of sources of good, affordable or free CPD around the UK. If you work for a local authority or charitable organisation, check what opportunities are available to you through local conservation officers’ forums, or the English Heritage HELM programme. Both groups offer a range of annual CPD and networking events that are local and often free or affordably priced. Your local IHBC branch also organises events in your area which are likely to be priced competitively and are sometimes heavily subsidised. To find out what events are available, check with your local branch directly. Perhaps you might even be able to suggest sites and venues for future events, so that you can help to share your own experiences with others in your area. Larger events, such as the IHBC annual school, represent a good opportunity to bank a large number of hours of CPD over a short period, limiting the need for travel and time The annual school provides a wealth of CPD opportunities: here North of England Civic Trust director Graham Bell discusses the future of the corn mill at Warwick Bridge during the 2013 Carlisle annual school. out of the office. If you are worried about the cost of attending the school, why not approach your local IHBC branch about bursary opportunities? The IHBC national office also offers help towards the cost of annual school places for those in need of extra help. The IHBC online CPD event calendar is a good place to find past and future CPD event information, as many events are classified in line with the areas of competence, so you can search for relevant events. Similarly, if you want to brush up on your basics, or work on particular areas of professional competence, have a look at the IHBC WebStarter (http://webstarter.ihbc.org. uk). This handy site provides a good selection of learning opportunities that can be completed in bite-sized portions. RECORD-KEEPING For any CPD that you undertake, keep any verifying evidence and record how it has informed your understanding of the topic. Make connections between these learning points and the IHBC competences. Similarly, if you are undertaking a project with a learning aspect to it, make a note of when you did it, what it entailed, who supervised or worked with you, what new skills you learned, and which of the competences you feel these skills relate to. It is especially important in the case of informal CPD to maintain these records, as it can be difficult to remember all the details later. Try to keep your CPD records, or copies of them, at home. Filing information at work may be useful for annual reviews, but if you move jobs you could end up leaving it behind. For further information relating to CPD and CPD requirements contact your local branch or IHBC National Office. Emilia McDonald (née Hands) is vice chair of the IHBC and chair of IHBC South branch. She is the conservation areas officer at Aylesbury Vale District Council and leads on heritage aspects of the Built Environment Services Team delivering specialist advice to other public bodies. She advises affiliate members of the IHBC and recent graduates in conservation on future career paths and progression within the institute.
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