The EAA has launched the voluntary phase of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Scheme in May 2005, with a view to raising the competence of practitioners and keeping them up-to-date with the latest knowledge of the trade.

The CPD programmes are classified into core and non-core subjects. In general, core subjects relate to estate agency law and regulatory issues; non-core subjects consist of other topics that may contribute to enhancing the professional knowledge of practitioners. Estate agents and salespersons are encouraged to participate and fulfill the target of 10 CPD points per CPD period (generally 12 months), including 6 core and 4 non-core ones. A Certificate of CPD Attainment will be awarded to practitioners who have completed 10 CPD points.

The CPD scheme covers a wide range of modes of activity, including seminars, lectures, e-quizzes, workshops, web-based distance learning sessions, and award-bearing courses, etc. Teaching approved CPD courses, EAA committee work, participation in public education or promotion programmes, and publishing works related to professional knowledge of estate agency may, subject to the clearance of the EAA, also lead to the awarding of CPD points. Practitioners may choose the activity modes that are most suitable for them.

Mr Joseph Tsang, Chairman of the Professional Development Committee (centre), Ms Sandy Chan, Chief Executive Officer of the EAA(right), and Mr Stanley To, Senior Manager (Professional Development) of the EAA (left), encourage trade practitioners to actively participate in the Continuing Professional Development Scheme.

Different amounts of CPD points are attributed to different CPD activities, depending on learning modes and degrees of demand on students. Activities that require more preparation or participation in discussions may be assigned more points.

The first of the "Distinguished Speaker Series", part of a CPD programme, was held on 30 May. The Honourable LEUNG Chun-ying, GBS, JP, Member of the Executive Council of the HKSAR, and of the National Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Chairman of the HK Coalition of Professional Services, delivered a speech on "New Milestones in the Economic Partnership Between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta". The seminar was well-received. The EAA would like to encourage practitioners to engage in lifelong learning by participating in the other activities that will be launched.

The CPD Scheme Guidelines, containing details of the CPD Scheme, has been sent to licensees, who may also consult the EAA web site (www.eaa.org.hk) or the Professional Development hotline (2150 2468) for further information.

The Honourable Leung Chun-ying, GBS, JP, Member of the Executive Council of the HKSAR, and of the National Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Chairman of the Hong Kong Coalition of Professional Services, was the Keynote Speaker of the first of the "Distinguished Speaker Series"? The topic of the speech was "New Milestones in the Economic Partnership between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta".

The first of the "Distinguished Speaker Series" of the CPD Scheme was well-received by the trade.