Cut electricity consumption with automation - Watt Now Magazine

The articles in WATTnow will be independently validated by the
SAIEE, which will determine the exact value of each credit applicable
to each issue of the magazine. Questions relating to the published
material will be included in each issue of the magazine. For ease of
use a special CPD logo will identify articles that have been validated
for credit. Participants in the WATTnow CPD Programme will be able
to SMS their answers directly to Crown or to submit the answers to
WATTnow by e-mail or fax.
“As an added service to members, WATTnow will provide a complete
and comprehensive administration system for those credits gained by
each member. This administration service will run independently of
the Engineering Council of South Africa service and will mean that
should there be any queries about a member of his or her CPD status,
WATTnow will be able to provide detailed records of every CPD event
that a member has participated in during the year.
“Overseas and local research into the implementation of the CPD
programme have proved that it’s essential to keep an independent
record of all submissions so that when a query does arise it can
quickly be resolved,” says Warwick.
The SAIEE will issue each member with an official certificate
recording the exact number of credits gained by each individual in
any given year.
“WATTnow and the SAIEE have put together an impressive
offering for professional engineers predominantly working in the
electrical engineering field,” says Bridgens. “Members of the SAIEE
who elect to participate in the WATTnow CPD Programme will
receive a discount of about 55 percent of the normal fees,” he says.
The WATTnow CPD Programme is based on a subscription service
which will cost non-members of the SAIEE R2 400 a year while
members of the institute will pay an annual subscription fee of
R1 000. The administration fees include:
• Complete administration and submission to ECSA of all CPD
material completed by each member. Members of the programme
will be able to log-in to a secure WATTnow server at any time
to check their own CPD status as well as examine their own
individual records;
• WATTnow will, on behalf of members, keep a detailed record of
individual submissions by each member from the time that they
join the programme. WATTnow’s records will provide an accurate
audit trail to resolve any queries that members may have.
• WATTnow will provide filmed presentations (on CD or DVD
disks) of up to six events or conferences that have been validated
by the SAIEE for CPD credits. WATTnow and the SAIEE will
keep an archive of all filmed material so that in the event of a
query at a later stage this material will be readily for independent
examination.
• Receiving one copy of WATTnow with all its self-study content
every month.
• Compilation and maintenance of a secure database containing
the records of each member including the individual answers
submitted by the member to each CPD question posed and
answered. WATTnow will keep an accurate log of all answers
submitted by the member.
• An annual certificate of CPD compliance recording the number
credits gained by each member during a given year will be issued
by the SAIEE.
“We are offering all members of the WATTnow CPD Programme
a one-stop-shop to participate in and comply with the professional
development criteria laid down by ECSA and ensure that all
professional engineers can maintain their status without having to
search around for sufficient credits to meet the ECSA requirements,”
says Warwick.
“In time and based on demand from members, we will extend
the WATTnow CPD Programme to cover even more events and
ensure that we keep abreast of the many changes that occur in the
professional environment. Right now, though, we have created a
compelling offer for members who must fulfill ECSA’s CPD criteria
to maintain professional registration. We have done so in a way that
makes it simple and easy for every engineer locally or internationally
to maintain their professional registration,” she adds.
July 2008
12