CPD in the Energy industry

Overview of the Energy Sector

The energy sector is a highly innovative and expansive industry with a sustained focus for alternative power sources, renewable energy solutions and the balance between growing energy demands with local global environment challenges. The UK energy sector employs over 680,000 in a varied array of professions, from oil & gas engineers to nuclear scientists. EU Skills Research states the UK will need to employ another 200,000 people by 2023 to keep up with industry growth and demand.

Over the last 10 years, the UK has made a transition from being a net exporter of energy to having more than 25% of UK energy now imported. The main energy sources for the UK are approximated as Natural Gas & Oil (41%), Coal (31%), Nuclear (18%), Renewables (9%) and other (1%).

Renewable Energy Sector

Renewable energy uses the natural environment to make electricity. Renewable energies include include wind, wave, hydro, biomass and solar power. Renewable energy technologies produce approximately 9% of the UK’s electricity, and EU targets mean that this is likely to increase to 30% by 2020. Renewable energy will become a critical player in the strategy to reduce carbon emissions.

Nuclear Energy Sector

Currently, approximately 18% of UK electricity is provided by nuclear power from the use of 19 reactors across 10 locations. By 2025, the UK is expected to be supplied with around 25% of its energy from nuclear power. In June 2011, eight sites across Britain were chosen as locations for new nuclear stations.

CPD in the Energy Sector

The Code of Conduct maintained by the Energy Institute requires members to make a commitment to Continuing Professional Development. If Energy Institute qualifications are held by any professional under licences from the Engineering Council, Science Council or Society for the Environment, that member must abide by these professional bodies’ regulations for general conduct and CPD requirements. All professional Energy Institute members are expected to keep full records of their CPD. The Energy Institute does not stipulate the minimum number of CPD hours which must be undertaken, but instead, encourage members to focus on the value of learning in relation to their professional development needs. Each year a sample of members will be asked to submit their CPD records for review.

All professional Energy Institute members are expected to keep full records of their CPD. The Energy Institute does not stipulate the minimum number of CPD hours which must be undertaken, but instead, encourage members to focus on the value of learning in relation to their professional development needs. Each year a sample of members will be asked to submit their CPD records for review.

CPD for Energy Assessors

All accredited Energy Assessors are expected to complete 21 hours of CPD every year, of which 10 hours should be obtained in areas of their primary specialism. CPD recording is the responsibility of each individual, with objectives being logged combined with the sum of all hours of learning split between structured and unstructured CPD.

The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) states, “CPD is a mandatory requirement of the CIBSE Certification Personnel Certification Schemes. Members of these schemes are required to update and enhance their skills continuously to ensure that they keep up with technological developments and the requirements of the Building Regulations and the Energy Performance of Buildings regulations in the UK.”