“CPD for Translators and Interpreters  in the EU Member States – an international exchange of information and ideas” (Workshop)

A definition of “CPD”

The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills and the development of the personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional duties throughout one’s working life.

Formal and informal CPD

• Formal – attendance at training courses etc
• Informal – reading professional journals etc 

Should formal CPD be compulsory?

•  How much/little is acceptable? ITI (UK) recommends 30 hours per annum
• Already compulsory for other “professions” such as medicine
• Requirements (if any) of our professional membership organisations; ITI in the UK “encourages” members to undertake CPD  whereas CPD is compulsory for ATA (USA) members who must accumulate CPD points
• Is experience sufficient or should formal CPD be compulsory?
• Is formal CPD, such as attendance at courses, just “ticking boxes”?

Which CPD skills are recommended in your Member State and/ or organisation?

• See ITI categories; language skills; translation skills; interpreting skills; subject knowledge; business skills; professional contribution

 Who provides formal CPD in your State?

• Are they experts, i.e. qualified lawyers teaching legal terminology?

Is formal CPD being undermined by work providers who don’t insist on any professional qualifications and/ or CPD in the first place? 

• Due to inter alia EN 15038 – 2006 (first European translation standard to highlight professionalization of translators) and the 2010 EU Directive on the right to interpreting and translation within the CJS, are more work providers requiring proof of CPD?

Sharing  CPD with other States and/ or with other relevant professionals (doctors)? 

• Material suitable for sharing, i.e. non-country-specific power point presentations?
• And vice versa for them, e.g. lawyers to share theirs with us?

 

 

Sue Leschen is a full time freelance French Interpreter/ translator, specializing in legal and commercial French based in Manchester, UK and also a qualified Solicitor (non- practicing). 

She also presents interactive CPD legal terminology and other professional interest workshops for colleagues both in the UK and elsewhere in Europe – TEPIS and BP14 Conferences (2014) and APCI Conference (2013).

Sue is a member of the Professional Conduct Committees of the Institute of Translation (ITI), the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI), as well as APCI’s Management Committee.