NZISM Members Update. 13/10/09
Just a quick note to keep you up to speed re the NZISM and Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
Firstly thank you to all those members who attended the CPD meetings. It was great to see such a turn out.
Secondly the Road Show went well and the feedback has been very positive. Having said this it was a bit disappointing not to have at least all our members’ front for this important meeting and feedback time.
We had 9 meetings in 8 venues around NZ. A real rushed programme but we made it. We had some sponsorship money from Impac which certainly assisted in managing the upfront costs. Sponsors like this are always welcome.
The programme went through where we are now, what are some of the problems, what’s happening internationally and within Australia and some possible ways forward. The meetings were a report back on the work done to date re CPD and to find out your thoughts on the possible next moves.
Up for debate was how do we move forward and how does NZISM recognise the NZISM Professional Development Standards certificate. The first question was a resounding just get on with it. Just put the CPD system as presented in place and move on. The second question was about the status of the NZISM Professional Standards certificate. When this certificate was reviewed against a number of other similar certificates and against IOSH’s criteria it was apparent that the NZISM Professional Development Standards certificate equated to the Technician level within our new proposed grading system. This caused some debate and so we went back to IOSH for a further evaluation. Their response was to confirm that the NZISM certificate is at the Technician level. We have accepted that reply. This means that for those members with no formal OH&S qualifications or those that are just starting out the NZISM Professional Development Standard is a valid means to meet the Technician Grade. At this Grade CPD is required to maintain this grading.
Where to next? We are considering an MOU from IOSH and a document around how to proceed with the MOU arrangements once they have been agreed. The next step here is to develop a training matrix to assist members access a range of learnings. This will assist those in the first round of CPD’s.
There is still work to do with the Department of Labour and their staff re CPD and discussions are proceeding.
We have met with a body in Australia who are also looking at OH&S qualifications and the provision of good education for OH&S practitioners. This will continue and we will be part of the committee for the next short time frame. The information gained will be able to be used and referenced here in NZ.
Paul Jarvie. NZISM Special Project Manager, CPD.
