Training provides opportunities for learning new techniques in EIA.
The revised directive (2014/52/EU) requires environmental impact assessments (EIA) to be carried out by ‘competent experts’. Regardless of your definition of competent experts, there are some well-established principles across a range of professions on the requirements of being a professional.
One of these is the obligation to undertake continuing professional development (CPD). For EIA practitioners, many are required, through their IEMA membership, to submit evidence of annual CPD.
This development can be in the form of reading articles, journals, listening to webinars and other forms of online learning. However, in my experience, the best CPD is participatory – that is, training, events, seminars and conferences.
Being an EIA practitioner can be an isolated role, and attending events and conferences may be one of the few occasions to learn about new techniques, case studies and swap stories and experiences with others. It is also good for the soul to get out of the daily routines and mingle with like-minded professionals.
Here are some upcoming CPD events I am attending that practitioners might also find interesting.
- EnvEXPO in Norwich between 27 February and 1 March. It is funded by the NERC and the focus is environmental innovation. I shall be giving one of the keynote speeches on 1 March on valuing nature and natural resources (uea.ac.uk/envexpo).
- On 17 March, I have organised a special symposium in Canterbury to bring together academics and practitioners to explore and debate EIA (bit.ly/2kwDnlE).
- IAIA 2017 will be held in Montréal, Canada, on 3–7 April. The annual event is the largest international conference for impact assessment and an excellent opportunity to speak with international EIA practitioners. I shall be speaking on the industry evidence programme (conferences.iaia.org/2017).
So, raid those training budgets, book some events and continue your CPD.