Managing your professional development

During your career as a chemical engineer it will be important to plan, record and review your professional development. 

Initial Professional Development (IPD)

In your first role(s) as a graduate engineer, the first few years of your training and experience are known as your Initial Professional Development (IPD). Your IPD may be gained through an IChemE Accredited Company Training Scheme (ACTS), or self-managed.

If you are self-managing your IPD, the Framework for Effective Mentoring may be useful when you record and monitor your training and activities. Finding a mentor will also help during this time – find out more about mentoring here. (Companies with ACTS will provide all trainees on the scheme with a mentor).

In either case, IPD is an important step in the journey towards professional registration. You will undergo an IPD assessment when applying for various membership grades and/or registrations including Chartered membership when your IPD is assessed as part of the second stage in our three-stage process to become a Chartered Chemical Engineer.

More information about IPD in relation to the Chartered membership process can be found in the Chartered Member area.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

CPD plays an important part of every engineer’s career. Not only do employers consider CPD as evidence of an individual’s investment in their current role and career development, but it’s also a requirement of professional registration and some grades of IChemE membership.

You can find out more about CPD here.

Alternatively, detailed information about CPD requirements for IChemE membership and professional registrations can be found in our membership area.