What is CPD? In your educational and professional life, you may come across the term CPD. But what does it stand for, and what does it mean for you? The acronym usually stands for:
Continuing Professional Development
Occasionally, companies and educational establishments may use the term
CPPD – the second P standing for Personal. The term CPPD means the same as CPD. CPD or CPPD is used in reference to the learning activities you have undertaken as a professional to engage with or develop your skills. It helps you to be aware of the knowledge you are gaining in a proactive way. Here are some examples of CPD in action:
Sarah is an English teacher at a secondary school. Over
What is the difference between a CPD plan and a CPD record?
Lots of people get confused between a CPD plan and a CPD record, but it’s actually very simple and there is no cause to worry.
A CPD plan is a plan you make regarding your future skills and knowledge development. A CPD record is a record of the CPD you have already undertaken as part of your professional role.
What do I want/need What skills do I need to What activities will I to learn? develop to achieve undertake? this? Gain more knowledge Business acumen Conference on of the museum and business and marketing heritage sector in Knowledge of the 16th January, regard to business and museum and heritage Manchester marketing sector Training day on business skills 3rd March, Leicester
Conference on improving the presence of the museum and heritage sector in the UK 12th-13th August, Manchester Develop people Understanding of basic People management management skills people management workshop skills 22nd February, Leeds
Conversational skills Workplace-based
session 4th April, Leeds Develop own specialist Researching skills Open University course knowledge of the UK Three-year degree Restoration Period course
CPD record Your organisation may already have a record of your CPD that you can easily print out when needed. Other organisations require you to keep a record for yourself. Remember: CPD that is relevant to your job role and the business you work for will usually be practice-supported. However, CPD that is not directly relevant to the business may have to be done in your own time.
Example CPD record:
Name: D. Sharif ID No: 000001 Hours required: 20
Activity Date Hours credit Attended a conference on business and 16.01.2017 3 hours marketing by BusinessTrainerUK in Manchester
Was able to learn a lot about how business and
marketing, which prompted thought on how this could be implemented to improve the museum and heritage sector’s monetary intake. Attended training day on business skills ran by 03.03.2017 6 hours senior professor of Business and Marketing at De Montfort University
Developed skills relating to business, and learned
about different theories of business, particularly Ansoff’s product/market growth matrix. Attended a two-day conference on improving 12.08.2017 6 hours the presence of the museum and heritage sector to in the UK 13.08.2017
Learned about new schemes that are in place to
improve footfall in UK museums and heritage sites. Also discussed how to get more people interested in the heritage sector. Attended people management workshop ran by 22.02.2017 4 hours Leeds City Council
Arranged and attended a workplace-based 04.04.2017 2 hours
workshop session on confidence and people management
Learned how to be a better management
presence, how to take on this role confidently, and make a difference.
Again, please remember that your CPD record does not have to look exactly like this. Your record will likely be much longer and more detailed. As with your CPD plan, the content of your CPD record is the most important aspect.
