1. Continuing Professional Development
NIIAS Annual Conference 13th April 2005
Continuing Professional Development
Andrew Stewart
Agrilink Chairman
Andrew Stewart: Agrilink-PACE Project Manager

2. Continuing Professional Development
NIIAS Annual Conference 13th April 2005
Continuing Professional Development
Andrew Stewart
Head of DG 90 LLL
Life Long Learning
Andrew Stewart: Agrilink-PACE Project Manager

3. Background Joint NIIAS/ASA initiative with 75% funding from Interreg
Aims
Identify training needs
Develop and pilot a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework
Development Partners: Aurion Learning

4. Survey coverage Existing qualifications/employment
Training needs in key Knowledge Areas
Attitude to Professional Development
Role of NIIAS/ASA in Professional Development

5. Survey participants Membership of Professional Bodies NIIAS 32 ASA 44
N. Ireland: 58 (33% female)
Border Counties 54 (13% female)
Membership of Professional
Bodies
NIIAS 32
ASA 44
Other 3
None 33
112

6. “Paid occupation involving Training and Formal Qualification”
What is professionalism?
Profession
“Paid occupation involving Training and Formal Qualification”
Professional
“Having Impressive Competency in a Particular Activity – Skilful, Expert

7. NIIAS Annual Conference 13th April 2005
Key Knowledge Areas
Livestock Production
Crop Production
Business Management
Rural Development
The Environment
Personal Skills
Other Key Areas ok
Andrew Stewart: Agrilink-PACE Project Manager

8. Importance of Knowledge Areas to present work
NIIAS Annual Conference 13th April 2005
Importance of Knowledge Areas to present work
1. Personal Skills
2. Environment
3. Business Management
4. Other Areas
5. Livestock Production ok
6. Rural Development
7. Crops
Andrew Stewart: Agrilink-PACE Project Manager

9. Personal Skills – training required1
IT - Computer Skills 2
Communicating/ Networking 3
Evaluating Information 4
Managing Others 5
Managing Self 6
Project Management 7
Negotiation & Influencing Skills 8
Innovation & Change 9
Customer Focus
N = 112

10. Innovation and Change
“Challenge norms and champion new innovations/initiatives; act as a catalyst for change and stimulate others to change; pave the way for change, manage change implementation process”
N = 112

11. The Environment – training required1
CAP Reforms 2
Water Quality & Pollution Control 3
Waste Management 4
Biodiversity/Wildlife conservation 5
Genetic Conservation 6
Landscape Conservation 7
Conservation of Historic Environment 8
GM Crops 9
Environmental Inspections 10
GPS
N=112

12. The Environment – CAP Reform
“Have an up-to-date knowledge of the environmental implications of CAP Reform and be able to interpret and advise on their impact on local farming activities”
N = 112

13. Waste Management
“Have a knowledge of EU and local government legislation/regulations dealing with agricultural wastes and use of agricultural land for waste disposal and be able to provide advice on their implementation (e.g. animal by-product, packaging, IPPC, industrial/municipal waste)”
N = 112

14. Summary of training needs by Knowledge Area1
Livestock 2
Crops 3
Business Management 4
Rural Development 5
Environment 6
Personal Skills 7
Other Areas
N=112

15. Survey results – Professional Development

16. Survey results – Professional Development

17. Survey results – Professional Development

18. Survey results – Professional Development

19. Survey results – Professional Development

20. Online CPD Framework and Learning Environment
Survey identified a need for a secure, online environment to allow for the management of continuing professional development activities (CPD) for Professionals working in Agriculture
Identified the opportunity for a communication and collaboration tool to allow for effective knowledge sharing

21. Currently 3 key components
CPD Portfolio
Database of relevant online and distance learning courses and training/education providers
Knowledge Exchange Forum

22. The CPD Cycle The CPD Portfolio tool is based on a 4-stage CPD cycle
Members can:
Analyse their training needs
Plan their training
Record training undertaken
Reflect on the training undertaken

23. A Record Only option has been added CPD is still a voluntary scheme
Supporting the member
A Record Only option has been added
CPD is still a voluntary scheme
Emphasis is placed on the member to plan and record activities
Inbuilt CPD scheme with a points system
Basis of a framework for regulatory purposes, membership grading etc.

24. Training course database
Additional features
Training course database
Database of relevant training providers and accredited courses
Emphasis on online and distance learning programmes
Has the capacity to expand

25. Knowledge Forum Additional features
Allows members to profile themselves and find specialists in key areas
Discussion forum tool to support collaboration and knowledge sharing
Capacity to build networks of specialists across Europe

26. A Proven Alternative – Aurion CPD EngageTM
CPD EngageTM is a simple, robust online CPD Management System
Centrally administered by the Professional Body
Relieves administration burden of registration, monitoring, and annual returns
Supports transparent sampling and verification procedures
Gathers ‘business intelligence’ information on member knowledge profiles and training patterns
Improves decision making capabilities with comprehensive reporting
Acts as an effective communication & marketing tool
Allows for a strategic approach to CPD management

27. A Proven Alternative – Aurion CPD EngageTM
Member benefits
Reduces the record keeping overhead with:
A simple, diary-based online record of attendance at CPD activities
Facilities to upload evidence of attendance
Facilities to reflect on individual CPD activities and the CPD cycle
An online annual return submission facility for the Professional Body/Regulator
Supports the effective analysis of training needs and will recommend training courses from the training course database
Supports the effective planning of learning and development through development goals and planned activities for the year.

28. Looking towards the future – Aurion CPD Manager
CPD EngageTM is a simple and robust online CPD Management System
An off-the-shelf solution that can be easily customised to meet the needs of the Professional Body
Can integrate with the Professional Bodies website and membership database as needed

29. Way forward Redefine role of Professional bodies
Define competencies needed
Establish an independent Regulatory Body
Harmonise Qualifications across Europe
Develop an online EU Postgraduate Qualification
Develop short online accredited courses
Seek EU funding