Letter from the President: SIOPA 2019 Highlights
As we steadily approach the end of the year, I want to take this opportunity to thank our members for your continuous support of SIOPA. As many of you know, SIOPA was founded in 2016 to strongly advocate for the needs and interests of Australian Industrial/Organisational (‘I/O’) Psychologists, arrest the decline in growth of I/O Psychologists and practitioners, and promote brand recognition of our profession. Without the support of our members, our significant achievements in this area would not be possible. Thank you for your membership. Thank you for participating in our professional development events. Thank you for promoting SIOPA to your peers.
When I look back on the highlights of 2019, the most outstanding highlights are seeing our advocacy efforts come to fruition. As many of you know, SIOPA strongly advocated for the reduction in regulatory burden that resulted in a shortage of supervisors, a decline in endorsed practitioners, and a decline in university programs offering accredited higher degree programs in I/O Psychology as they could no longer meet the unrealistic regulations and standards. Our National Board and Committee members rejoiced when AHPRA revised several standards and reduced the regulatory burden through allowing universities to provide one-year bridging degrees or stand-alone programs for endorsement, reduced supervised practice hours, less frequent progress reports, greater flexibility in supervision arrangements, and providing a permanent exemption to graduates from accredited higher degree programs for undertaking the National Examination.
SIOPA recognised the need for our members to access professional development opportunities in a range of formats. As such, webinars are now offered as an option for professional development following the in-person event.
Earlier in the year, we also launched our user-friendly website which allows online membership sign up and management of your account, and access to resources such as guidance, templates and articles.
There is still progress to be made over the next few years and I envision SIOPA will be a strong voice in the national arena advocating on issues that matter to our profession. SIOPA has already identified our activities for next year; many of which are already underway. The Board has provided approval for the committee to increase our CPD presence on the east coast, coordinate a mentoring program for early-career professionals and implement an engagement survey to gauge feedback from industry. It will be an exciting year!
I look forward to celebrating another successful year with you in 2020.
On behalf of SIOPA, I wish you a safe and joyful holiday season and a happy new year filled with success, happiness and good health.
Justine McGillivray
email: siopapresident@gmail.com