What is CPD and how Does it Benefit my Career Prospects?

If you’re looking to boost your career prospects, you may want to consider the importance of CPD. Used by thousands of professionals to develop new skills and knowledge throughout their career, CPD has become crucial in terms of career progression. So, what is CPD and how could it benefit your career prospects?

What does CPD stand for?

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development and it is important as it’s used by professionals to further their career. It’s a proactive and conscious form of learning which uses various methods to help individuals either learn new skills or develop existing ones. As the name suggests, it is an ongoing learning process. It is also a self-driven form of learning. So, it would be you, rather than your employer, who decides to undergo additional training.

Benefits of CPD

CPD offers numerous benefits to both professionals and their employers, some of which are of real importance. For you as a professional, it helps to ensure your skills and knowledge are up to date, and the professional standard of your registrations and qualifications are maintained. There are no clear disadvantages for your employer, it ensures that the company standards are both high and consistent. They will see that you are actively dedicated to the job role and value your commitment to the role.

Another one of the benefits of CPD and a main purpose of exploring the benefits of continuous personal development is that it also helps you to develop more confidence in the role. You’ll be able to showcase your achievements and develop the knowledge and skills to carry out your job in the most effective, confident way. Whether you’re looking for a promotion, or you’re hoping to gain employment with a prestigious company, CPD can really help. CPD enables you to stand out from the crowd.

These are just some of the great benefits CPD can provide. The question is, how can you partake in continuous professional development?

Continuing Your Professional Development

If you’re interested in undergoing CPD, it’s worth keeping in mind there’s a lot of different types to choose from. Practically anything which can further your knowledge and skills is classed as CPD. This includes:

• Events
• Training courses
• Workshops
• Research
• E-Learning

Each of the above has its own range of benefits and most professionals choose to undergo several types of CPD for best results.

Things to consider

If you want CPD to further your career, there’s a number of factors you need to consider. Ensuring you’re undertaking the correct type of CPD to fit your goals is crucial in helping you minimise any disadvantages. It’s not enough to simply find a course which matches your industry. You also need to consider whether or not the training matches your end goal. Thinking about the importance of CPD suiting your chosen industry might potentially save you time in the future.

Have you got the time to commit to the CPD course you’re considering? If you’re already working, you’ll need to find a part-time course which also fits around your family and budget commitments. You’re also going to want to consider the type of study you prefer. Do you thrive in studying with others? If so, you’ll want to look into in-venue courses and seminars. If your sole purpose is to study alone at your own pace, an e-learning CPD course would be a better option.

Overall, CPD is crucial in terms of professional development. Provided you choose the right type to match your needs, it can help you progress in your current career, or help you to branch out into a totally different field if you’d prefer. There are so many reasons to choose to continue your professional development so why not see which types of CPD are available to fit your needs?