About CPD
We're committed to supporting you in your professional growth journey
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a combination of approaches, ideas and techniques that will help you manage your own learning and growth. The focus of CPD is firmly on results – the benefits that professional development can bring you in the real world. Perhaps the most important message is that one size doesn’t fit all. Wherever you are in your career now and whatever you want to achieve, your CPD should be exactly that: yours.
Frequently asked questions
How does CPD benefit me?
CPD is an investment that you make in yourself. It’s a way of planning your development that links learning directly to practice. CPD can help you keep your skills and knowledge up to date and prepare you for greater responsibilities. It can boost your confidence, strengthen your professional credibility and help you become more creative in tackling new challenges.
What is the CIPD’s approach to CPD?
We operate an outputs based CPD policy, which means that we're not concerned with how much time you spend on training courses or how many boxes you tick on a form. Instead, our approach is focused on outcomes and results. CPD is about capturing useful experiences and assessing the practical benefits of what you have learned.
How should I approach my CPD?
Visit the CPD cycle for a simple 7 step guide to your CPD. The CPD cycle can work well when coupled with appraisals, however different people choose to progress through the cycle at different speeds.
How should I record my CPD?
There is now a specific CPD Reflections tool available which provides an online space to review and reflect on your learning, supporting you to embed your learning and improve your professional practice.
I'm on a career break, do I have to do CPD?
Yes, it's especially important that you're able to manage your CPD whilst on a career break. Doing so will ensure you're able to return to work with the ability to articulate the value of your experience and how you've maintained your knowledge and skills throughout.
Our CPD policy allows you plenty of flexibility to select the forms of professional development activity most suited to your current circumstance.