Why be in a professional association or several associations? The main reason is Professional Development (PD), or in a nut shell, keeping current and up to date with your qualifications which is something we should be doing on a daily basis.
Being a member of an association means being involved in any number of ways:
• By attending regular meetings.
• Networking with other members (create friendships)
• Taking on a committee role and giving back to our industry
• Taking advantage of the services offered
We get what we give, there are some events I would never miss, including the annual conferences.
Especially when these are in another state, it is an opportunity to relax and learn, get new ideas or implement change from the learnings you gain when you step back and reset. It is amazing how much free information you get, that is worth a lot when you put it into practice.
So why join an association? It helps you to navigate the myriad of information that we need to decipher daily, the association helps you and supports you when you need it. It is a great tool of keeping on track with your professional development and to help you grow as a professional technician.
Many trades require a four year apprenticeship or a level of training, you get your licence and then what? If you are a Doctor, a Pilot, or an Engineer you are expected to complete a level of continuous Professional Development, refresher courses or annual tests. To stay abreast of the current industry requirements, the latest changes to technology and to make certain you are competent. In many cases, there are a minimum PD hrs required to maintain your licence to practice, in many cases it is a matter of life and death.
It is astounding, when you finish your training and get that licence, the regulators then do not require any further training.
I have witnessed a load of guys who do not return to any form of study and just keep doing what they did 10-30 years ago. Ignorant of the changes and possible incompetence in their trade. Sadly this is all too common, they are doing the wrong thing long enough until it becomes right ….until the day they are caught and they lose everything.
As a Registered Training Organisation, Qualified trainer and licensed Electrician, Type A Gas Fitter and Type B Gas Work Authorised and a Type A/ B gas approval authority, CPR / LVR First Aid trainer and Justice of the Peace Qualified. I have memberships in several professional organisations of either professional bodies or Associations for various reasons.
The below outlines what they are, what is involved and when they are recommended.
Justice of the Peace Qualified- 37 years
https://qja.com.au/
• Member of the Queensland Justices Association Inc
• Included in the membership:
» Regular updates.
» Notifications:( Legislative changes)
» A network to discuss any questions
» Professional Indemnity insurance included.
» Access to member benefits and resources.
» Professional development sessions.
Recommended for :Justice of the peace and CDec Commissioner for declarations
VELG Training
https://www.velgtraining.com/
For my training Qualifications and trainers
• Member since 2010
• Included in the Corporate / Individual membership:
» Regular weekly news updates.
» Notifications:( Legislative changes)
» A network to discuss any questions
» Annual Conferences – two days , (Attended nine to date)
» Annual CEO conference
» Access to member benefits and resources.
» Professional development sessions and a PD register
» Free Webinars and resources. .
Recommended for: Registered training organisations, trainers, VET professionals, managers and administration staff in education or VET. Teachers, educators, anyone involved in training.
Queensland Gas Association Inc
Individual membership only $99 PA
• Member- Certifier
• Member – Corporate – Bizmatrix Pty Ltd
• Member- Corporate – Bizenergy Pty Ltd
• Member since 2005
• Included in the membership:
» Regular weekly news updates.
» Notifications:( Legislative changes)
» A network to discuss any questions
» Access to free standards – Gas & Electrical Valued over $2,000
» Access to member benefits and resources.
» Professional development sessions.
» Free Technical Webinars and resources.
» Access to technical support.
» Combined Trades Conference every two years
» Membership with MPAQ- Master Plumbers Association Queensland
» Listing for members services.
» Represented to the Gas Technical regulator
» Field trips and education sessions.
» Discounts for gas and training and other items..
» The Voice of the Queensland Gas Industry.
Recommended for: Gas Fitters, Gas/Electrical Specialists, Gas Engineers, Plumbers, Type B Industrial gas fitters, Approval authorities , Type A and Type B gas gas device approval authorities, Gas appliance & Gas Manufacturer’s & Importers, Energy Suppliers, Gas appliance retail/wholesale, Government employees, Registered Training Organisations, Retirees and Apprentices (all within the gas or related Industries Business).
Master Electricians (Was ECA)
https://www.masterelectricians.com.au/
• Electrical Contractor- Bizmatrix Pty Ltd membership
• Previously a member of ECA since 1987
• Silver Membership -Member since 2010
• Membership includes:
» Regular weekly news update
» Notifications:( Legislative changes)
» A network to discuss any questions
» Legal advice and support
» Consultancy available for safety systems
» Annual Conferences
» Access to Australian Standards
» Access to member benefits and resources
» Professional development sessions
» Free & Paid Webinars and resources.
» Training course-member discounts
Recommended for: Electrical contracting businesses and their employees.
Need to upgrade your qualification?
Contact Bizmatrix on 0457 595 888 or 1300 588 749 or visit
