Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and The Geomatics Profession Bill By Alex Bals, Dullstroom, 20 October 2011

What is CPD?  A framework in which points are allocated to:  Individual contributions  Events/activities  Papers/presentations  Academic courses  Applicable to registered professionals/members  Administered by professional bodies

Why would CPD be useful?  It protects the interests of the public by ensuring the currency of the practitioner  It recognises that knowledge being exchanged carries value to the parties involved  It ensures that the profession stays relevant as it is supported by practicing professionals  It strengthens the raison d’etre of professional bodies and voluntary associations

It answers the following questions:  Do our members add value to us?  Does the Institute provide true value to the members?  Are we still relevant in our members’ lives?  Is there a way in which we become a necessity?  Can that necessity contribute to our existence?

How does it benefit the individual?  It provides a compelling reason to justify attendance of industry events and academic courses, i.e. no points, no registration, no ability to conduct work.  It ensures that the body of knowledge available to the individual remains topical, current and relevant, i.e. new knowledge will be added all the time.  Rated events would confer points on the delegate and if a member of the Institute would come at a discount – i.e. the discount = cost of membership.

How does it benefit the Institute? Registration would lead to license to practice … License to practice leads to work … And work leads to a personal income … But registration would require CPD … CPD is possible through membership … And membership is conditional …

The Institute’s coffers would benefit Eg. currently 1/3 rd of members are not in good standing: 70%: members and fellows 10-15% o/s 10%: senior associates (target 30%) 40% o/s 10%: associates (target 50%)60% o/s 10%: affiliates (target 10%)20% o/s * Data as at strategy session Q2/2011

What will CPD look like?  1 ppd, 25 points every 5 years, 3 ppa minimum  Applies to PMS, PMS (cert) and MS  Administered by PLATO on its website portal (~SARS)  Events accredited by voluntary associations (IMSSA)  Members would get discount for events = annual fees  Implementation planned for January 2012

In conclusion Continuing Professional Development is a well developed concept and is widely used abroad and locally (finance, medical, accounting, engineering). It need not be onerous, nor be expensive, provided we implement it intelligently. It will make us better professionals, operating in a more dynamic environment, in a more relevant profession, with more knowledge at our fingertips.

Not finished yet ….  → Onwards to the Geomatics Profession Bill → →

The Geomatics Professions Bill Potential for change Plato Act 40 of 1984 Mine Surveyors join Surveying Professions Bill Geomatics Professions Bill

Latest round of consultation Gazetted call for public comment30 May 2011 Deadline for comments 21 calendar days Exco workshop held at Wits 14 June 2011 Letter to the Chief Surveyor-General 17 June 2011 “Considering the above-mentioned concerns … … that are fundamental for the mine survey profession, … IMSSA object to the Geomatics Profession Bill as it stands.”

The Institute commented on: 1.Reservation of work 2.Recognition of DMR and Mining Laws 3.Transformation of Council 4.Powers of the Minister 5.Influence of the State 6.Duties of the Council and EAC 7.Funding of Council budgets 8.Transition process 9.CPD 10.Role of Council as ROPO 11.Signing off on plans 12.Schedule of Tariffs

Some detail  Smaller Council: maximum 2 mine surveyors (1/7th)  Council to be demographically representative  Council meets 2 x per year  DRD to fund budget shortfalls ….  However Council to engage in fund raising …  Registration of Voluntary Associations every 5 years  Minister appoints key positions directly  DMR and mining laws not acknowledged  Professional Land Surveyor specifically mentioned  The rest is lumped into ‘Geomaticians”  Job reservation for Land Surveyors  SAGI publicly stated to be “Home of PLATO”

In conclusion We are not alone: the Geomatics Professions Bill in its current form compromises members of IMSSA and GISSA, in favour of members of SAGI. It is fundamentally flawed in that it promotes greater representation on Council, as well as job reservation, in favour of the Land Surveyors, who are mentioned specifically and separately. Council correctly objected to the Bill and is scoping the next steps.

Finished – Thank You Any questions?