Clare County Council leads the way in engineering excellence with CPD re-accreditation

Clare County Council has become the longest continuously-accredited local authority in the country after securing re-accreditation, for a further three years, with Engineers Ireland’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Accredited Employer Standard.

President of Engineers Ireland Laura Burke visited Áras Contae an Chláir to present the award, which Clare County Council first received in 2003 for its high-quality CPD systems and practices that support the growth and expertise of its engineering and technical staff.

Clare County Council achieved the ‘Transformational’ Standard in three of the seven accreditation criteria - an advanced level reserved for organisations that demonstrate exceptional CPD practices with strategic impact.

Dr Carmel Kirby, Interim Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said, “Retaining CPD accreditation over the last 22 years is a testament to Clare County Council’s dedication to the professional advancement of staff.”

READ NEXT: Free shuttle bus service linking Clare towns and tourist attractions officially launched

“This recognition reaffirms our belief that investing in our people is investing in the future of our county,” she added. “Through a culture of continuous professional development, Clare County Council is not only strengthening its workforce but also setting a national benchmark for excellence in local governance.”

Commenting on the accreditation, Seán Lenihan, Chair of the Council's CPD Committee, explained: “This standard aims to enhance engineering expertise and foster adaptable employees, building a workforce empowered to innovate and develop new solutions. The continuous learning and development of our entire team strengthens our ability to deliver professional, responsive, and inclusive local government. By being positioned to do so, it enables us to advance social, economic, physical, rural, and tourism development throughout the county, with sustainable communities at its core."  

The re-accreditation process involved a comprehensive submission to Engineers Ireland, followed by a series of interviews and presentations with staff across the organisation.

The resulting audit report praised Clare County Council for its “excellent, well-integrated CPD systems, processes and practices,” noting clear and consistent evidence of “top-level and cross-functional commitment to CPD.”

The auditors also highlighted that Clare County Council's CPD initiatives are “constantly reviewed and aligned to the organisation’s strategic goals,” reinforcing the critical role that professional development plays in achieving long-term success.

Engineers Ireland, founded in 1835, represents over 25,000 members from across all engineering disciplines. As one of Ireland’s oldest and most respected professional bodies, it plays a vital role in supporting engineers in delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to society.