Training for iProfessionals by iProfessionals
Continuing Professional Development: iProfessionals
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Who recognises learning-on-the-job?
Luckily, the old way of defining improvement in skills solely by external qualifications or accreditation is being replaced by schemes that recognise work-based learning. There are many activities that happen naturally in the course of your work that affect your professional status—but you need to capture them. Only then will you be able to use them to demonstrate prior learning.
Where does my company fit in with CPD?
Increasingly, companies are introducing their own skills development schemes. They recognise that to make themselves more efficient and productive, they have to invest in their employee's skills. If they can influence you to develop skills that they need, they will be affecting your CPD and attaining a better skilled workforce in line with their business needs. They might institute annual appraisal schemes where you'll need to discuss your annual training needs with a manager. Later, you'll need to demonstrate that you have carried out the skills development—and that's where your CPD record could help. Your company might base their needs on a skills framework that is related to the interactive sector. Skills for the Information Age (SFIA), and the emerging Sector Skills framework are examples of these.
What use will this CPD record be?
Many further and higher education establishments have modular courses and if you can prove that you have done the equivalent of some of the modules, you may receive accredited prior learning (APL) recognition sometimes also referred to as APEL accredited prior experiential learning. This will reduce the work you have to do to achieve further qualifications. Fewer modules will also mean less cost. Large businesses follow CPD schemes and expect individuals to take responsibility for their own development. If you keep a personal development record, you will be demonstrating your self-worth and this will count across any career move with all those involved with human resources—from the recruiters to the interviewers.
Why bother?
You will be in a win-win situation. No one else will look out for you and your development in the way that you will yourself. You already improve yourself. This template will just help you record your effort in a way that will consolidate your improvements in the workplace. You'll be amazed at how much self-development you are doing without noticing. Take a look at the template categories to surprise yourself. Shouldn't it be recognised—even by yourself?