CPD How to get started

CPD How to get started by Amber Rolfe Need to get started with CPD? We’ve got you covered… Not only is continuing professional development (CPD) a requirement of the majority of professional bodies, it’s also a great way to build confidence, boost your credibility, or even secure a promotion. In fact, you might find that even if you’ve worked in a role for a while, CPD is needed to keep your knowledge up-to-date.We spoke to Watson Martin Partnership, a leading provider of professional qualifications, to find out their top tips on how to get started with CPD:Assess your knowledgeFirst things first, you need to make an honest assessment of your knowledge and skills.Then, see how they match up with the requirements of your current role, and the role you’re aspiring to work in. Your organisation or professional body may provide a competency framework that you can assess your skills against, but you can also find examples online.If you’re unsure of where your skills lie, asking your colleagu es’ opinions is also a great way to gain another perspective and/or uncover any blind spots.Personal development planning: What you need to knowFocus on areas for developmentOnce you’ve assessed your abilities, it’s time to figure out what the next steps are.You can do this by answering the following questions:What do I want to achieve?What do I need to learn to achieve this goal?How will I learn it?Using your answers, you’ll be able to put together a well-informed plan of action that’s accurately aligned with your career goals.Personal development plan template  Make a plan OK, so you know where you want to go, but how do you get there?By making a plan â€" with clear, actionable steps (both long and short term) that will help you achieve your goals and develop your skills. These could be anything from taking a training course or getting mentor support, to reading, networking, or listening to webinars.The list is (almost) endless.It’s also a good idea to recognise any po tential obstacles you might face, outlining how you plan to overcome them.How to: Make a career plan  Monitor your progress Whilst assessing and writing all of the above down is an essential part of carrying out CPD â€" that’s not all you need to do.In order for CPD to be effective, you need excellent time management alongside high levels of motivation and commitment. Without these things, your plan of action becomes meaningless â€" and let’s face it â€" probably something you’ll brush off and forget about.So to ensure you remain dedicated to developing your skills, monitor your progress frequently â€" ticking off completed tasks, adding new ones, and coming up with solutions for any barriers you might face.  Reflect Reflecting on your self-development is absolutely vital to ensuring your CPD is successful.As CPD is more about the quality of your learning than the ticking of boxes, you might find that tracking your progress formulaically helps to keep you on track â€" but does n’t provide an accurate representation of your achievements.So in addition, it’s important to reflect on:What you’ve learntWhat methods you used to learn itThe benefits it has on you, your clients, or your organisationHow you can practically apply your learningsWhether there’s room for more developmentWhether your CPD is in preparation for a new role, to land a promotion, or to become more competent in your current job â€" understanding how your development will help you carry it out more effectively is a great way to ensure you’re utilising your skills.Why study with Watson Martin Partnership?Watson Martin Partnership is a leading provider of professional qualifications and in-company training programmes.Not only do they offer 24/7 support via Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with access to podcasts, webinars, videos and learning materials, they also have higher than average pass rates on their professional exams.Other benefits of studying with  Watson Martin Partnershi p  include:Personal one-to-one adviser support for all qualification programmesExpert advisers with a depth of knowledge and wide ranging industry experience to help you achieve your career goalsFlexible start dates, durations and locationsA range of payment options with interest free monthly payment  plans for self-fundersOnline, classroom and distance learning optionsWant to learn more about how a qualification could help your career?  Enquire now.  Watson Martin Partnership is a leading provider of professional qualifications and in-company training programmes, providing courses in HR, LD, Management, Project Management, and more. Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the