Question

discuss the importance of Continuing professional development (CPD) and its contribution to own learning?

Answer 1

The importance of Continuing professional development ( CPD )

Continuing Professional Development programs exists to make sure that an individual enhances their skills and capabilities once they are graduated and at this stage an individual is not working within any specific industry or job function. CPD is important as it helps to ensure that further learning is progressed in a relevant way. CPD allows an individual to focus on what specific skills and knowledge they require over a short-term period in order to be confident there is recognisable improvement within their proficiency and skill sets.

The ultimate outcome of well planned CPD is that it safeguards the public, the employer, the professional and the professional’s career. CPD enables an individual to regularly apply attention to important areas of development and takes appropriate action to reduce any shortfalls in knowledge. Similarly, an individual must see CPD as a way to remain competitive with his or her peers, and as an opportunity to differentiate themselves at moments where this may be required, such as in job interviews or in tenders for new work and business acquisition. As more people become professionally qualified with similar qualifications, CPD becomes more important as a means of separating yourself from the pack. Planned approach to Continuing Professional Development allows an individual to put themselves in charge of their own career development and work-related ambitions. A personal empowerment of learning brings with it an increase in confidence and resulting abilities, all of which correlate to an improvement of capability for their employment environment.

Listing the importance of Continuing Professional Development :-

1. CPD make sure that your abilities keep a similar or higher pace with the current standards of others in the same field. The level of competition is very high and to sustain in such a competitive environment one has to be better than others in the same field as well as be consistent.

2. CPD ensures that one maintains and enhances the knowledge and skills which are required to deliver a professional service to the customers, clients and the community. Services provided to the clients and the community should be better than other companies in the same field and would make them to avail the services again and again because customers are the most important factor.

3. It make sure that you and your knowledge stay relevant and up to date. You are more aware of the changing trends and directions in your profession. The pace of change is probably faster than it’s ever been and this is a feature of the new normal that we live and work in as we are facing now. If you stand still you will get left behind, as the currency of your knowledge and skills becomes out-dated. Sharpening the skill sets must be done in a consistent manner.

4. It helps you continue to make a meaningful contribution to your team and improve if required. You become more effective in the workplace. This assists you to advance in your career and move into new positions where you can lead, manage, influence, coach and mentor others. It boosts your confidence and helps you become a better leader of your team for more productivity and output.

5. It cultivates confidence in you to represent you and your team to share the idea on which the team is working on. Getting involved in these types of programs benefits the individual and the company as well.

CPD contributing to own learning

Below are the points how CPD contributes in self learning.

1. CPD enhances ones ability to regularly learn and improve. These programs helps you to understand the methodology behind quick learning and executing your ideas so that this skill will help the company in which you will work.

2. CPD refines ones personal intellect. It helps to plug any knowledge gaps by continuous learning.

3. CPD helps to reflect on what you have learned and it is a very vital part of the program. Learning does not emerge only from activities that you designated as "development", and you may find that you are learning at least as much from your day-to-day activities.

4. CPD helps you to stay interested and interesting. Experience is a great teacher, but it does mean that we tend to do what we have done before. Focused CPD opens you up to new possibilities, new knowledge and new skill areas.