The President Writes.
It will soon be time for the subscription renewal notices to go out, and it might set you thinking, what am I getting out of being a member? If so, think back to why you joined in the first place. It could have been because you wanted to attend a symposium or an evening technical meeting. It could be because your employer asked you to join or because it would further your career. If you are on the sales side you could have joined for the networking, or maybe a friend was a member. People join for a myriad of reasons, and all those reasons are still valid today. It is particularly important for professional members to maintain their membership because if the membership lapses they are not permitted to use the designator/ letters after their name and their certificates must be returned to Corrosion House. Another reason for being a member is that it provides the opportunity to become a professional member, from Tech l.Corr. though M.l.Corr, F.I.Corrto Chartered Scientist or Chartered Engineer which considerably enhances career prospects.

1 was once asked why there is no career path for Industrial Painters, well there is. With the advent of the ICATS (Industrial Coatings Applicator Training Scheme) there are many opportunities for someone to progress their career through the training courses. Currently the emphasis is on Train the Trainer, where the contractor sends a trainer on the course who then provides in house training to the painters. These courses compliment the existing Coatings Inspector courses which provide an alternative career path for painters.

In addition there is also the CP (Cathodic Protection) courses levels I.Z.and 3, which provide training and qualifications from basic level to engineer level. For anyone working on cathodic protection these courses are now mandatory.

Details of all the Institute courses can be obtained from the ICorrTest Centre at Rotherham run by our service providers Argyl and Ruane Ltd. Their details can be found inside the front cover. Details of all professional qualifications and application forms can be obtained from the web site at www.icorr.org Also in this issue are further details of the conference Corrosion 2007 which will be held at Sheffield Hallam University on the 3rd to 5th September. This is a joint event with the Institute of Metal Finishing and the varied programme will provide something of interest to most people. This event and the evening technical meetings and symposia held by the branches, carry CPD (Continuous Professional Development) points, which are very important in building up to and maintaining professional qualifications.

Training and CPD are becoming increasingly important in today's quality orientated and competitive world. In many cases training is already or will become mandatory.

Brenda Peters President - Institute of Corrosion