CPD - Continuing Professional Development
Professionals are increasingly recognising the benefits of adopting a planned and
structured approach to the maintenance and upgrading of their skills. Not only do
they need to keep up to date but they also need the ability to acquire new knowledge
in response to the challenge of new business requirements. It is this ability to gain
new knowledge which is being seen by professionals as the best possible means
of gaining a competitive advantage over their peers.

Managing CPD
In order to identify future learning and development needs it is important to review your
personal and professional experience to date. An effective method of self-appraisal is
by using a standard SWOT analysis, to identify your strengths and weaknesses and to
examine both the opportunities and the threats you may face. There are many types of
learning now recognised as being relevant to the acquisition of knowledge.

These include:
   Distance and Open Learning - including computer-based systems
   Structured Reading - including data sheets and periodical articles
   Writing technical papers
   Membership of relevant professional committees
   Part-time Teaching
   Skills developed as part of normal in-house activities:
     In-house CPD can take the form of specific training or, just as important,
     the gaining of new skills and experiences though the transfer to new roles
     and responsibilities within the organisation.

Each of these can be considered as items which have a discrete timescale and
which have a start and a finish. It is important, however, that they all take place
within a structure and that they are recognised as being a part of a continuous
and on-going process. CPD is not a new idea, in varying ways it is merely the
encapsulation of what has always been considered to be good professional
practice. The change is in its perceived importance in the current business
environment.

 | The CPD Certification Service

The CPD Certification Service helps organisations provide certified CPD and acts as
a point of contact for those seeking to obtain certified CPD material. It supports further
learning initiatives being undertaken by Government, professional institutions, trade
associations, individual organisations, training providers, suppliers and so on. To find
out more please visit www.cpduk.co.uk