Continuing professional development (CPD) is the intentional maintenance and development of the knowledge and skills needed to perform in a professional context. ​​This could mean honing current skills, it could mean developing them to a new level, or it could mean learning new ones that will allow an employee’s job role to expand or prepare them for potential promotion.

You can enjoy a whole range of benefits when you commit to CPD. It ensures that your skills and knowledge are kept up-to-date and that you are in a position to maintain your professional registrations and qualifications. Also, CPD will help to build your credibility and your confidence as you demonstrate your commitment to personal development and professionalism.

Any activity that develops your professional skills, both soft and hard, counts towards your CPD points/hours. The learning doesn't have to be within your professional field - if you are planning to change career paths, for example, you can log CPD points by completing activities that align with the new career you are pursuing. 

The activities can include events (online or in person), networking sessions, online or face-to-face training, reading (articles, books, journals), mentoring sessions (you can be the mentor or the mentee), shadowing, professional writing, research, and others.

Please remember that for an activity to count towards your CPD hours; it must be part of your Professional Development. Therefore, developing personal hobbies such as gardening, travel, knitting, yoga, or else that don't relate to your professional path isn't applicable.

Your membership and digital badge is a currency that can be used in both your CV and LinkedIn profile pages as an employability tool that helps you not only focus on your career journey but also demonstrate your commitment to your own future development. You'll be awarded post nominals after your name - Achiever (AInstCPD), Member (MInstCPD) or Fellow (FInstCPD) to elevate your learning above a formal qualification and the Institute of CPD App (Launching soon) will give you the ability to network with other like minded, career driven individuals to gain insights and experience from all walks of life. The app is designed to put the 'the steer on your career' in your very own pocket where you get to record your CPD activities on the move, upload certificates and tangibly recognise a thirst of reskilling or upskilling yourself. Check out some of our stories and how joining the Institute has really helped their journey so far. 

The CPD Institute works in partnership with the CPD Standards Office - a CPD Accreditation organisation with over 1000 members. You can use the database (click here) to find CPD accredited providers by category or keyword and visit their websites to find a course suitable to your needs.