Professional development is described by the Engineering Council as “(alongside education) the other key part of developing competence. It is how potential Chartered and Incorporated Engineers learn to apply their knowledge and understanding”.

mypath - the Society's NEW Online Professional Development Scheme 

This online log book benefits young members who have just started their career and want to record their professional development against the standards in UK-SPEC and the more experienced members looking for an effective way to record their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Recording the latter is increasingly important, and will be of benefit should you wish to upgrade your membership or progress your career - see below for more details. 

It adds to the learning achieved through an academic programme, such as an HNC or degree. It addresses specialist applications, meeting specific employment and business needs including aspects of science and technology; business management and leadership; personal development plus additional job-related non-engineering skills such as training and developing others. The essence of professional development is to acquire competence by learning from productive work experience.  So it can be completed only in the context of employment in aerospace engineering, whether as practitioner, educator or researcher.

It is recognised that learning and experience go hand in hand. Some young engineers may be studying part time or completing further learning (to meet EC^'s academic requirement in full) concurrently with structured training provided by their employer. Some may be undertaking or have completed a relevant industrial placement as part of an accredited course towards their initial academic qualification. Learning during appropriate employment experience, even prior to starting studies, can also be relevant. Many of the larger companies employing aerospace engineers offer training schemes that are accredted by the Society. They guarantee the company’s support for their trainees in achieving competence across the range of competences specified for all registered engineers.

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However competence is achieved, and many take a little longer and manage their own professional development, the results and benefits are the same. Along with the sense of professional accomplishment achieving Registration is an indicator of your professional status. It demonstrates your commitment to best practice and to the development of competence within the industry. Registration will establish that your knowledge, understanding and competence within the field of aerospace engineering have fulfilled UK and international standards. As a CEng, IEng or EngTech you will have an advantage over unregistered peers throughout your career progression.

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The interview for registration

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Once engineers are ready for the interview, they have to apply for registration and submit a number of documents. Both mentors and mentees are encouraged to keep an eye on the Professional Review and Interview page on the Society's web site as it contains an up to date list of the documents required for it. The most important document is the Qualifying Report and exemplars of the completed form are included.

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CPD can be defined as the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge, understanding and skill, and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional duties throughout the individual’s working life. Most people are undertaking professional development activity all the time and may not realise it. The Society does not stipulate what constitutes CPD. Provided you can demonstrate that an activity has helped you progress in your professional life, the Society will accept this as suitable CPD. Typical CPD activities include: attending in-house or external courses, work-based learning, distance learning programmes, self-directed private study, preparation and delivery of lectures and presentations, preparation of refereed papers, attendance at lectures, seminars or conferences, acting as a mentor, relevant voluntary work, learning a new computer application or learning a foreign language. The Society is also a member of the Professional Development Partnership which can provide invaluable help. If you are looking for a programme of academic study, the Open University offers a range of CPD programmes; the Society has an agreement with the OU to offer these programmes to our members at a significant discount.