Plumbing Africa PA October 2018 | Page 15

ASSOCIATIONS 13 Register your employees for CPD points Upskilling and uplifting plumbers is a cornerstone of the Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB)’s constitution and therefore, a new work-based CPD activity has been introduced. By PIRB The PIRB is encouraging licensed plumbers to help their learners, technical assistant practitioners, or technical operating practitioners to register and thereby earn CPD credits in the process. Registering a learner plumber • 3 CPD credits once-off • 2 CPD credits annually if the licensed plumber encourages the learner plumber to build up their POE. While it is important to recognise the importance of licensed plumbers including this as a condition of employment for their plumbers, the responsibility of encouraging plumbers to register with the PIRB is now being recognised. Registering a technical assista nt practitioner • 4 CPD credits once-off • 2 CPD credits annually if the licensed plumber encourages the technical assistant practitioner to build up their POE. There are three ways in which plumbers can earn CPD credits: developmental, work-based, and individual activities. The above-mentioned method is built into the work-based activities of the CPD system. Work-based activities are related to learner mentorship programmes, the issuing of plumbing certificates of compliance, or registering certain employees with the PIRB. All licensed plumbers should strive to contribute to the advancement and promotion of the plumbing industry and the profession in general, by encouraging the plumber that they helped to register to build up their portfolio of evidence (POE). A POE is a record of all mentoring or training activities undertaken by the plumber under the guidance and supervision of the licensed plumber. This record should be kept on a weekly basis and all details of plumbing work undertaken must be recorded and signed off by the licensed plumber. Licensed plumbers can earn CPD credits in the following manner: Licensed plumbers are encouraged to register their employees for CPD points. Registering a technical operating practitioner • 5 CPD credits once-off • 2 CPD credits annually if the licensed plumber encourages the technical operating practitioner to build up their POE. The CPD credits that are assigned once-off will be loaded on to the licensed plumber’s profile when proof of same company is received via email and including the licensed plumber and newly registered plumber’s details. CPD credits will only be allocated upon the issuing of the new PIRB registration number to the plumber. One full week of work, recorded as a logbook, should be submitted to the PIRB for the credits to be assigned to the POE category. Both the licensed plumber and the plumber being registered will need to sign a mentoring document upon registration and the POE credits being submitted. PA For further correspondence regarding CPD, email [email protected] www.plumbingafrica.co.za October 2018 Volume 24 I Number 8