AGI CPD Scheme

The training courses run by GGP Systems have been validated by the Association of Geographic Information (AGI) for Continuous Professional Development Scheme (CPD) points.

If you work in the geographic information industry then your role is a professional one with the expectation that you will work in ways that are seldom written down but that are vital to your job role.  One of these expectations is that you will be up to date in your knowledge of the field and have appropriate skills for any tasks that you are engaged in.  In almost all professions these expectations are met by way of a formal or informal CPD scheme.

The AGI scheme is a straightforward one, designed specifically to allow Chartered Geographer (GIS) status to be achieved and retained.  Its key features are:

Availability

The AGI CPD scheme is open to all members of the Association who wish to work towards securing or retaining Chartered Geographer (GIS) status.  There are no additional costs attached to following the AGI’s CPD scheme over and above the necessary membership rates and the administrative costs associated with applying for CGeog status.

Registration

All CGeog applications and submissions/assessments of CPD are carried out by the RGS-IBG, in collaboration with specially appointed AGI assessors who are experts in their field and who themselves hold Chartered Geographer status.

Mechanism

When you sign up for this scheme, you commit yourself to undertake at least 35 hours of professional development activity each year.  Total CPD activity should be made up of 20 hours external and 15 hours internal training/professional development.

GGP Systems offer a range of training courses that will enable you to add CPD points to your personal log:

Validation

Each year your CPD log should be submitted to the RGS-IBG for assessment.  Acknowledgement will be given for time on the task and can be accumulated through:

• formal events
• interactive training and development
• qualifications
• on the job development
• courses of study
• presentations and publications
• professional meetings
• working groups
• special interest groups and panels

However, validation will also consider the quality of CPD, not just the quantity.  The validation criteria used to assess CPD will include, for example, how well the activity fits with your stated career development plan, its relevance to the specifics of the GI industry, how well it furthers your own personal development, and so on.  As part of the validation process, the RGS-IBG in collaboration with the AGI may carry out random tests on the veracity of the presented materials.

Development Opportunities

AGI runs a number of seminars, regional meetings, workshops, and briefing sessions, as well as the biggest annual GI conference and exhibition in Europe.  We are committed to maintaining and increasing the number and quality of these events and all will be CPD accredited.

Balance and Relevance

Although the minimum 35 units in each year can be made up of any number of activities (provided 20 are from external and 15 are from internal activities), RGS-IBG and AGI insists that each year’s submission has a reasonable mixture of activities.  We also strongly suggest that they are relevant to your personal development plan.

Benefits

CPD has benefits to:

• the individual
• the employer
• the organisation
• the industry
• the community at large

For an individual, CPD offers the opportunity to take hold of their career and develop their own direction.

To the employer, encouraging employees to undertake CPD can be a major plank in their staff development and assessment programmes.

To an organisation, it offers a means by which existing practices can be changed for the better, for example by incorporation of emerging new specialisms, quality assurance procedures, and technologies.

For the industry it offers the prospect of a motivated, qualified and up to date workforce. It will also assist the AGI in achieving its mission aim: to maximise the use of geographic information for the benefit of the citizen, good governance and commerce.