Earn CPD
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that you gain both formally and informally as you work, beyond any initial training. It’s a record of what you experience, learn and then apply!
INCREASED NEED FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
There is an increased need for CPD (Continuing Professional Learning) points as compliance grows across the HVAC&R industry, and maintaining a set number of points is required to keep certifications and qualifications current. We offer online learning, webinars and Individuals can study in their own time and at their own pace.
Earn CPD points when attending face-to-face training, online learning, technical site visits, internal courses and events.
Joining IRHACE gives you access to the Member area allowing you to:
• Maintain pace with other candidates in your field.
• Remain up-to-date with changing trends.
• Stay interested in what you do.
• Be part of boosting workforce motivation and loyalty.
• Develop your skills while you continue to work.
It’s important to not fall behind in your knowledge and skills – not only does it show your current and potential employers that you are a keen and dedicated individual who wants to progress and better themselves at every opportunity, it also ensures you stay up-to-date with current industry trends and best practices.
As the world’s industries are forever evolving – including HVAC&R – exciting and new opportunities are always being created, but this also naturally comes with challenges. CPD allows you to regularly apply focus and attention to important areas of your own development – providing a framework to take appropriate action to reduce any shortfalls in knowledge. By investing in your continued education, the currency of your knowledge and skills won’t become outdated.
“As more people become professionally qualified with similar qualifications, CPD becomes more important as a means of separating yourself from the pack. For example, it can give you the opportunity to differentiate yourself at moments where this may be required, such as job interviews or proposals for new work,” says Gina McMaster, CEO of HVAC&R industry associations.
Continued professional development exists to ensure that an individual enhances their skills and abilities once they have formally qualified. Typically, academic qualifications may have already been completed at this stage and an individual is now working within their specific industry and job function. CPD is important as it helps to ensure that further learning is progressed in a structured, practical, and relevant way to guarantee that there are applied efficiencies to the learning. For the individual, it means they can focus on the specific skills and knowledge that they require over a short-term period, in order to be confident there is recognisable improvement within their proficiency and skill sets.
More information
It is important to manage your professional development with ease and efficiency.
“For the HVAC&R industry, we have our CPD programme which provides a wide range of CPD-earning activities to ensure that you can choose the best mix of activities to meet your personal development goals. These include webinars, online courses, face-to-face courses, technical tours and events,” says Gina McMaster, CEO of HVAC&R industries.
“Being an IRHACE member gives you access to the programme. Your progress through the various activities is tracked and there is an overall leaderboard showing which members are the most active. Every time you complete a CPD activity, you are provided with a CPD certificate and we can assist you with a full report of your activities.”
There is an increased need for CPD points as compliance grows across the HVAC&R industry, such as IQP, PSA and upcoming licensing. Joining IRHACE gives you access to the Member area as part of your membership, allowing you to:
• Maintain pace with other candidates in your field.
• Remain up-to-date with changing trends.
• Stay interested in what you do.
• Be part of boosting workforce motivation and loyalty.
• Develop your skills while you continue to work.
More information
While it is up to the individual to complete CPD – which often comes within the context of their membership and involvement with industry professional bodies or institutes – more and more employers are taking a proactive role in supporting their employees with CPD as they see the benefits of a more motivated, highly-skilled and committed workforce.
There is a common misunderstanding with some employers that CPD takes significant time which may result in periods of ‘out of the business’. However, the availability of more flexible CPD suited for the HVAC&R industry, available from IRHACE, can provide CPD learning seminars alongside new business revenue and networking opportunities.
Most of your employees’ training can even be completed online, keeping any periods of ‘out of the business’ to a minimum. The flexible CPD learning options for the HVAC&R industry, available from IRHACE, include a mixture of online and in-person learning seminars alongside new business revenue and networking opportunities.
Learning Space / Events or Activites | MAX CPD POINTS | ALLOCATION |
Trade Shows - HVAC&R Hub | 4 points per show | |
Trade Show - HVAC&R South | 4 points per show | |
Presenting or speaking | 2 points per activity | |
Writing for newsletters, journal or submissions | 2 points per activity | |
Training courses | 1 point per hour | |
Webinar/Online seminar | 1 point per hour | |
Self-directed readings | 1 points per activity | |
Technical site visits | 2 points per activity | |
Judge, expert or mentor in competitions | 2 points per activity | |
Technical online forums | 1 points per activity | |
RLNZ Verifiers for Approved Filler Test Certification | Annual allocation | |
Participation on committees | Annual allocation | |
Participation on Special Interest Groups | Annual allocation | |
Appointments by IRHACE | Annual allocation |
Events or activities outside the learning space
Lodge your request directly with admin@irhace.org.nz with details of the event/activity, proof of attendance and a brief outline of key learnings gained. This will be reviewed by the IRHACE Council to ensure consistency and alignment with the CPD programme. If approved CPD points will be added to your tally.
JOIN IRHACE
IRHACE is a national industry association of 800+ members and it plays a significant role in influencing policies, regulations, and standards related to our industry, with its members actively contribute their expertise to various initiatives and submissions. These include technical appointments for Professional members (M.IRHACE) which involve Standards NZ, MBIE, REA, SIG; working on reviews and updates to best practice, handbook and guides with government entities and our MOU partners.
Professional Member
I am a qualified Professional or have at least 10 years experience and minimum of 5 years in a position of responsibility in the HVAC&R industry
Associate Member
I have mechanical, science or other engineering qualifications to NZQA Level 4+ or am training to become a HVAC&R Professional.
Affiliate Member
Join us if you are working in the industry, involved in a related construction sector or wanting to learn or support the HVAC&R industry.