PD Guidance for EI Members

Professional Development (PD) is an important part of gaining and maintaining professional status. The EI provides support and guidance for members undertaking PD in a variety of ways. The EI’s online professional development system (PDS) can help you to plan your development, log evidence of your activities and create reports. To log in or register for the PDS please click the link.

What is Professional Development?

Professional development (PD) is the ongoing enhancement and maintenance of your skills, experiences, attributes and competencies. PD can help you work towards or maintain chartered status. It can also help enhance your career prospects, expand your networks and increase your motivation and enjoyment of your job.

PD means identifying your professional goals, carrying out activities to achieve these and regularly reviewing your progress. PD activities could include:

In-house courses
External courses
Work-based learning, e.g. codes observed, conflicts resolved
Distance learning programmes
Self-directed private study
Preparation and delivery of lectures and presentations
Preparation of refereed papers
Attendance at lectures, seminars or conferences
Coaching, tutoring, monitoring, teaching
Secondment and special projects
Relevant voluntary work
Use of the EI’s online Professional Development System (PDS)

Please click here to find out more about professional development.

Initial Professional Development

Initial Professional Development (IPD) is the period of development you undertake when you first enter the work place. This period will last for roughly four years. After this you should be ready to apply for a professional membership grade with the EI.

The EI can also find a mentor to help you prepare for professional membership. If you would like to take advantage of this then you can request a mentor at the same time as joining the online professional development system. Click the link above to join.

Please click here to find out about applying for EI membership.

Continuing Professional Development

Once you have achieved professional membership of the EI it is important that you keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date. You can do this through continuing professional development. As a professional member you may be asked to submit a record of your CPD to the EI.

For more information about maintaining a CPD record please visit the CPD materials page.