(Part 2 of 4)
Submitted by Jill Corfield: corfield@mweb.co.za
Decide what you need to participate in to achieve the number of CPD points required
Estate agents, using the four categories and the schedule of CPD activities, must decide on the activities that they will participate in. They may already be involved in some of the activities while others, such as the writing of articles, might be something new that they have not previously been involved in.
Participate in the appropriate activities to accumulate those CPD points
Estate agents must implement what they have planned. If they intend attending training they must ensure that the dates are properly diarised and that they have registered for the events in question. If books are to be read or self-development is to be implemented estate agents will be obliged to set realistic goals and to ensure that those goals are achieved.
Record your participation in the chosen activities
Estate agents must use the prescribed CPD record card to ensure that they have included all categories. As they participate in each of the identified activities estate agents must record the completed activity on their record card and ensure that they have included a true copy of the evidence of their participation in the Portfolio of Evidence (“PoE”) so that everything is retained on record and easily accessible. The PoE must be submitted to the EAAB annually for assessment.
Monitor and evaluate your progress throughout the CPD period
Estate agents must ensure that they have achieved what they set out to do in respect of CPD compliance. Any areas of concern should be highlighted and focused on until the requisite number of CPD points has been attained. Further articles dealing with the important aspect of CPD will be published in all future editions of AGENT to ensure that estate agents are fully aware of The ongoing professionalisation of estate agency which commenced with the implementation of the new educational programme for estate agents requires estate agency practitioners to remain current insofar as their knowledge, skills and competencies are concerned. Estate agents must be kept continuously apprised of relevant trends, developments and/or changes that have occurred, are presently occurring and are also likely to occur within the South African socio-political-economic environment in general and the estate agency and property sectors in particular. The introduction of the CPD requirement for estate agents will, furthermore, establish and maintain the highest standards of competence and service excellence and encourage the values of honesty, integrity and credibility within the estate agency sector. Regulations 8(1) and (2) of the relevant Education Regulations specifically provide that the EAAB may prescribe reasonable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements to be completed by estate agents over a rolling three year cycle.
