With ILP members gathering this week for the highlight of the ILP’s CPD calendar, the Lighting Live Annual Conference in Birmingham, it is timely that the Engineering Council has published new guidance designed to ‘demystify’ CPD within engineering.
The guidance, ‘Demystifying CPD for the engineering profession: A practical guide’, is designed to address misconceptions that can make CPD seem more demanding than it is, and therefore deter people from continuous development or improvement.
For example, there is often a perception CPD is costly to do or will only be relevant for people at senior levels or new entrants to a business, but this is not the case, the council said.
“Most engineering professionals are already engaging in ongoing development as part of everyday practice. Understanding what it is and how it works can help make registration and career progression feel more achievable,” it added.
In all, the guide has highlighted, and debunked, six of the most common misconceptions around CPD. These are:
- That CPD is just about attending formal training courses. In reality,the council emphasised,courses are just one aspect of CPD, which can take a variety of forms. “Much of the most valuable development occurs naturally through everyday practice – taking on new responsibilities, solving problems, shadowing colleagues, or engaging with customers and suppliers. Effective CPD can include workplace learning, self-directed study, mentoring, volunteering or structured activities. What matters is how it contributes to your professional capability, not the format,” it said.
- CPD requires a set number of hours. Again, the reality here is quite the opposite, the council said. “Requirements vary by institution, title and membership grade. The [Engineering Council] CPD Code for Registrants does not set a minimum time, though many institutions use hours-based frameworks to support structured development. These sit comfortably beside the Code and help ensure CPD remains purposeful and relevant.”
- CPD only begins after registration. The reality, within engineering at least, is that CPD is a continuation of learning that starts well before registration – at university, college, school, apprenticeship or early employment, the council said. “Prospective registrants are expected to show a consistent pattern of learning, reflection, and growth well before they apply, demonstrating early commitment to maintaining high professional standards. Early engagement helps you build evidence against UK‑SPEC competences and strengthens your registration application.”
- My employer is responsible for my CPD. Again, wrong, the council emphasised. CPD, it made clear, is a personal professional obligation, not something an employer can take on for you. “While organisations may provide training, resources, or opportunities, UK‑SPEC makes clear that registrants must take ownership of their development – identifying learning needs, maintaining and reviewing a personal development plan, and recording and evaluating their CPD. Supporting the development of others is also part of this responsibility,” it said.
- CPD is only about technical knowledge and skills. In fact,CPD is not limited to technical knowledge, the council said. “UK‑SPEC requires registrants to maintain capability across all relevant areas of practice, including ethics and sustainability, risk, safety and security, communication and stakeholder engagement, leadership and management. As engineering practice spans all these areas, your CPD should reflect the full scope of your professional responsibilities.”
- CPD is only reviewed when something goes wrong. Again, the opposite is the reality here, the council has emphasised.“CPD is routinely reviewed as part of professional regulation. Licensed professional engineering institutions (PEIs) carry out annual sampling of CPD records and provide departmental. Continued non‑engagement may result in removal from the Register, ensuring that professional standards and public trust are maintained. This ongoing review process helps the profession progress by encouraging continuous learning and highlighting opportunities for further positive development, rather than simply recognising past achievement,” it said.
In conclusion, the council highlighted that professional registration “recognises what you have already achieved, while CPD demonstrates your commitment to maintaining and enhancing that competence over the long term”.
It added: “It is not about celebrating past achievements, but about continuous growth and the positive contribution you can make as your career progresses.”
The Lighting Live Annual Conference is running from Wednesday 17 June through to Thursday 18 June at the Millennium Point in Birmingham. Full details can be found at: https://theilp.org.uk/events/lighting-live-annual-conference-2026-birmingham.html
The full Engineering Council CPD insight/guidance can be at https://www.engc.org.uk/news-and-insights/insights/demystifying-cpd-for-the-engineering-profession-a-practical-guide
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