Before registration engineers have to train; afterwards they have to maintain Continuous Professional Development (CPD) standards. Based on observations made at seminars, the author explains how we can make ourselves different from others through training. Putting in the CPD hours is not sufficient; something must be gained from attendance.

Engineers have to obtain formally-approved training if they wish to meet professional registration requirements. Once this level has been achieved there is a need to maintain standards in order to meet the requirements laid down under Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programmes.

Any training scheme must be recognized by and have the approval of a relevant professional body. Such schemes generally cover: knowledge and understanding of theory; application of practice; leadership, management, supervision and inter-personal skills. Candidates must also demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and an obligation to society, the profession, and the environment. Approved training should be tailored to fit in with experience gained in employment.

Qualifying

To qualify as an engineer in HKSAR, the requirement is similar. Currently, training can be obtained through:

•	Company-based schemes
•	Seminars, workshops, luncheon meetings, etc. offered by learned societies
•	Short courses offered by authorised bodies
•	Recommended preparatory courses for professional review interviews
•	Other verifiable knowledge/experience accepted by professional institutions

The term 'company-based scheme' refers to learning programmes which are put together by companies for the training of engineers and which are approved by licensed institutions. Progress should be verified by a supervisor who is a registered engineer.

An optional route to registration via a company-based scheme is to concentrate on gaining experience at the workplace but the duration of this will be twice as long as that previously described.

Seminars, workshops, and luncheon meetings generally are aimed at training relating to particular topics. Perhaps the most helpful aspect of these meetings is that trainees can obtain information and knowledge from experts who are willing to share their experiences.

Authorised bodies such as The Labor Department or a Productivity Council also offer short courses. Hours towards a CPD can be earned from these.

A Professional Review Interview (PRI) is a major step towards becoming a registrant.

Training also is available from approved training centres which provide short courses for potential engineers who wish to obtain PRI-related report writing and communication skills, etc. Some well-established companies also have obtained approval to provide such training.

Seminars

Of all the training formats available, seminars/workshops are the most flexible and the most convenient. The duration of a seminar is two to three hours and it can be arranged to take place just after normal office hours at a convenient venue. Some events invite members - and non-members - from student to Fellow. However, at such events everyone is looking to achieve their own individual purpose which can result in an occasion that is not useful.

Experiences at free seminars have shown that the attendees can be categorised as experts, practitioners, laymen, students, or duty workers. Experts already have an in-depth knowledge and a perception of the relevant topic and want to hear new ideas from speakers. They raise questions from elementary theory in order to challenge the knowledge of the speakers.

•	Practitioners are experienced field engineers eager to attend relevant seminars in order to improve their theoretical skills. They bring in-life problems to share with the audiences and the speakers
•	Laymen are neither practitioners nor experts - sometimes a non-member of the relevant body/society or a friend of another attendee who is interested in the seminar topic and hopes to acquire 'new' knowledge
•	Sometimes university lectures recommend that students attend external seminars in order to acquire relevant knowledge for relevant knowledge for report writing. However, often this is a complete waste of time since it is outside of normal working hours and the students spend their time chatting, making telephone calls, etc.
•	Since duty workers are, obviously, still 'on duty' often they have to have their mobiles telephones on throughout a session, which can be disruptive. Many engineers have to work outside normal office hours so the need for a mandatory CPD qualification becomes a burden on their daily work

Inefficient information transmission

Those who attend seminar-type training sessions are the speaker(s), the audience, and the event facilitator and organizer(s). A seminar is an interactive communication activity which depends on all of these participants - if one fails, they may all fail.

•	The speaker(s) must be qualified, presentable, well prepared, and have an in-depth knowledge of the relevant topic
•	The event facilitator must maintain the timings of the seminar schedule and advise each speaker if he/she is over-running
•	The event organizer must avoid over-subscription to the seminar, and control entry to the venue once it has started.
•	As far as audiences are concerned it is most important that attendees are clear as to what their purpose is in attending and what they expect to gain from such attendance.

Learning attitude

Many of those who attend do so specifically to gain knowledge that will enable them obtain the CPD certificate. However, it is noticeable that many appear to be busily engaged in some other activity throughout the event. If seminars are held after hours many students can be tired and, therefore, gain nothing from their attendance. Many are not punctual and, as a result, cannot catch up.

In the long run those who follow the presentations acquire the most from the speaker(s) and get value from their attendance.

A CPD hour will not be of value to an individual unless it is an hour spent learning. Only then can the individual make himself/herself different from the others.