Why is CPD important?


With ever-changing and stiffening safety regulations within international marine industries, continuous professional development is crucial for honing your expertise and progressing your career further.


Continuing Professional Development (CPD) can help you to reflect, review and document your learning journey and to develop and update your professional knowledge and skillset.


It can also: - provide an overview of your professional development to date;


- remind you of your achievements and how far you've progressed;


- uncover gaps in your skills and capabilities and open further development needs, and;


- demonstrate your professional standing and currency to clients and industry peers.


IIMS is the only worldwide professional body to award qualifications in marine surveying, so we know a thing or two about providing high-quality CPD opportunities.


Your career goals and aspirations


First things first, you need to think about what you’re looking to accomplish. Are you looking to improve and expand your knowledge in a specific area? Fill in a skills gap? Perhaps you need to fulfil your professional membership CPD requirements?


You also have to think about how you want to study. Do you prefer a classroom environment where you can discuss points with others face- to-face, or does your busy schedule mean that distance learning allows you the flexibility to study at your own pace? Can you commit to a full-time course, or keep on top of a part-time programme alongside your job? Maybe a simple lecture, seminar or workshop is all it’ll take? Knowing the answers to these questions will help.


Training and learning with the IIMS can be the start of your 'through-life pathway' in the marine surveying profession. You study with the IIMS and get your career started, do CPD with the IIMS, get mentored by the organisation and grow in your chosen area of surveying. No other organisation can offer this, and that is what sets the IIMS education programme apart from others.


Research the course provider


Next you should look into the training and education provider. Does it have a good reputation? Do they have any student testimonials, or can you find any personal recommendations from colleagues and peers within the boating, shipping and surveying industries?


Finding out whether the course or company has any internationally accepted accreditation by a well- known body can help ensure you get the best training possible. (This is a good opportunity to showcase how IIMS has been awarded the globally recognised ISO 9001 standard for training in marine surveying.)


Another good idea would be to see how well the company communicates with students. How quickly do they respond (if at all)? Are they helpful, or once the money has been paid do they become evasive and less communicative? What kind of student support services do they provide (if any)? Think about the provider’s overall transparency when researching them. Read our ‘What to watch out for’ section below to see which questions to ask before starting your course.


THE REPORT | DEC 2024 | ISSUE 110 | 127


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