For a small country like Singapore, the natural resource is its people. Therefore, for us to stay relevant and compete with the rest of the world, we must embrace lifelong learning and skills upgrading.
The government has long, since the late 1990s, emphasised this aspect through its various policies and schemes. Some recent examples of these initiatives include SkillsFuture and the Progressive Wage Model, which aim to benefit the bottom 25% of the resident working population.
During the budget debate on 1 March 2022, Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC Ang Wei Neng, raised the suggestion of having a “time stamp” on degrees conferred by local universities and requiring graduates to attend upgrading courses every five years. His suggestion undoubtedly drew flak from the public. Mr Ang later clarified that his suggestion should be construed as “food for thought” on the need for Singaporeans to continually upskill to stay relevant.
Which brings us to the question of how can everyone, graduate or not, be encouraged to embark on a lifelong journey of learning and upgrading?
Enter CPD/CPE.
CPD Stands For Continuing Professional Development
CPD and CPE stand for Continuing Professional Development and Continuing Professional Education, respectively. It is an interchangeable term used to convey the ongoing process of developing, tracking, and documenting the professional knowledge, skills and experience that one gains both formally and informally in their work.
Many professional bodies in Singapore have implemented a CPD cycle to enhance the standards of their members by ensuring they stay relevant in their professional work and with changes to technology.
Here are just a few professions from the various fields of work that require continuous learning to stay in the job.
#1 Lawyers
The mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) for advocates and solicitors of the Singapore Bar was introduced in 2012. The scheme is administered by the Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE).
Lawyers need to complete between 4 and 16 CPD points through a combination of both Public (activities that are accredited by SILE) and Private CPD activities (activities not accredited by SILE) for each CPD cycle, depending on their length of service or standing as a lawyer.
Each CPD cycle runs for one year from January 1 to December 31. All advocates and solicitors admitted to the Singapore Bar and holding a Practicing Certificate of more than 5 months must fulfil the CPD Points Requirements for that year.
Read Also: 5 Questions With…Mark Teng, Founding Director At That.Legal LLC
#2 Public Accountants
The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is responsible for overseeing the continuing professional education (CPE) for public accountants.
Public accountants are required to achieve at least 120 CPE hours in each CPE cycle. It should be made up of at least 90 hours of structured learning and the remaining hours of unstructured learning. Furthermore, for the structured learning hours, public accountants must obtain at least 60 hours in Core Expertise areas, which at least comprises of the following categories:
- (Category 1) – 18 hours of Financial Reporting Standards and Pronouncements;
- (Category 2) – 6 hours of Ethics and Professionalism;
- (Category 3) – 18 hours of Auditing Standards, Pronouncements and Methodology;
- (Category 4) – 9 hours in Insolvency and Restructuring (applicable to public accountants who are approved liquidators); and
- (Category 5) – 9 hours of Information Technology.
Each CPE cycle consists of a rolling 3-year period, which is the preceding three years from the year of renewal. Public accountants must fulfil these learning hours to renew their certificate of registration.
Read Also: Salary Guide: How Much Does An Accountant In Singapore Earn?
#3 Radiographers
The Singapore Society of Radiographers (SSR) governs the continuing professional development (CPD) for radiographers, who are part of the registered Allied Health Professionals.
Radiographers are encouraged to complete a minimum of 24 CPD credits within a CPD cycle by attending any of the CPD activities approved by SSR.
Each CPD cycle spans over two years and begins on April 1 of each year and ends on March 31 of the second year.
Currently, the CPD scheme for radiographers is on a voluntary basis. However, the Ministry of Health’s Allied Health Professions Council has stated that it would become a mandatory requirement in the future for allied health professionals to renew their practicing certificates.
#4 Real Estate Salespersons
From October 2019, it became mandatory for all key executive officers, practicing directors/partners and salespersons to achieve their continuing professional development (CPD) for the renewal of their licence.
Real Estate salespersons are required to achieve a minimum of 6 credits per CPD cycle, of which four of these credits must be from courses related to Professional Competencies, which must be authorised by the Council for Estate Agencies and two credits must be from courses related to Generic Competencies.
Each CPD cycle spans one year, from October 1 of the previous year to September 30 of the current year.
Read Also: Property Agent As A Career: We Find Out How Much You Have To Spend Before You Can Start Earning
#5 Workplace Safety And Health Officers (WSHO)
The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme for workplace safety and health officers (WSHO) was implemented in 2005.
WSHO must complete 40 Safety Development Units (SDUs) in each CPD cycle. Of which, 20 SDUs must be from structured training and the remaining hours are made up of either structured or unstructured SDUs. Unlike the other CPD/CPE schemes, WSHOs are allowed to carry up to 10 structured SDUs into their next cycle.
Each CPD cycle spans over two years, and WSHOs must meet the required SDUs to renew their registration.
CPD Has Benefited Many Groups, But Should It Be Extended To Everyone?
Many professional bodies in Singapore have made continuous professional development (CPD) a mandatory requirement for their members’ licence renewal. While some, like the Allied Health Professions Council, have plans to make it mandatory in the future.
These requirements have been a positive push factor for professionals in Singapore to take on lifelong learning in their stride, allowing them to maintain and upgrade their professional skills.
While CPD has been implemented by many professional bodies, Singaporeans also have access to the SkillsFuture framework which encourages Singaporeans to take up continual lifelong learning, through accredited courses as well as SkillsFuture credits which help us pay for these courses.
Listen to our podcast, where we have in-depth discussions on finance topics that matter to you.
Advertiser Message
How Many Money Habits Do You Practise?
Whatever financial goals you’ve set for yourself, take small, consistent steps towards them by adopting good Money Habits. Tap in and learn how to make money decisions that are right for you, at every stage of life here.
