Day 5 - Continuous Development

Well, today is my last blog! It’s been agreat learning experience for me and I thought it would be good to finish theweek exploring the importance of learning within the context of Continuous ProfessionalDevelopment (CPD).  

CPD is about consciously and continuously updatingyour skills, knowledge and competencies so that you remain competitive andemployable. It will help you to be more effective in the workplace and to advanceyour career.  CPD also opens up opportunitiesto gain new knowledge and skills to help you move into new roles where you canlead, manage, influence and mentor others.

In today’s business world, the pace ofchange is faster than it’s ever been. If you stop learning, you’ll get leftbehind as your knowledge and skills become outdated. 

I’ve always been interested in learning and training, not just because it’s my chosen career but because I can see the value and benefits of illing gaps in my knowledge. I make a point of planning my CPD to include subjects that aren’t always related to work – sometimes it’s good to learn something completely different. I recently did a mindfulness course; learning to meditate is proving to be very useful in my busy life! CPD is also usefu lfor networking - as many of us often work in isolation, it can be refreshing to socialise with like-minded people.

Planning your CPD is important. The idea ltime to plan is during your annual appraisal, as this will encourage your employer to invest in your development. 

Start by analysing the knowledge and skills you have in your current job. Then do the same for the role you’d like to have.This helps you identify any skills and knowledge gaps to highlight the most appropriate learning activities you need to consider. Aim high but ensure your targets are practical, achievable and challenging. Bear in mind that your plan may well change regularly!

Your outline plan should include your objectives, priorities, target dates and appropriate development activities.  Activities can be formal and structured, such as courses, e-learning, conferences and presentations, or informal such as ‘accidental’ mentoring or reading relevant trade journals, books and articles.

Formal activities offer evidence in the form of recognised certificates or diplomas. However, less structured activities are also valuable and most CPD will be a mixture of both, along with activities outside of work such as professional networking events.

There are many of different ways to achieve CPD and in the process you will develop your skills and knowledge and meet many interesting people who may contribute to your career success.

My parting tip: CPD will give you a personal challenge and a sense of professional pride. So what are you waiting for?