Changes in member learning

Changes to member learning

In a normal year, CIPA holds events for our members in all parts of the UK. The pandemic resulted in many challenges for our member learning activities and, from March, all physical events were cancelled or postponed. However, this gave us an opportunity to focus on and enhance our webinar programme.

With the vast majority of the profession working remotely, there was a particular focus to deliver more online content to ensure that members were still able to gain information on updates and changes relevant to their work.

Some of these virtual events focussed on:

z The mental health impact of working from home, with 154 delegates attending. z How videoconferencing at the EPO has changed the way hearings are conducted, with 131 people signing up. z Patent Examination Board Qualifying Exam update, garnering the highest attendance of 425 delegates.

Events staff continued to work alongside the

Professional Development Working Group

and Paralegals Committee to address the lack of physical events in the CPD programme and arranged 68 webinars in 2020 - a record number of webinars delivered in a calendar year.

We look forward to see what new challenges 2021 will bring and are happy to introduce free webinars, as a benefit for our members.