Why Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Is Important

The term continuing professional development (known as CPD) describes the type of learning activities that professionals engage in to develop their skills and abilities further. There are several CPD learning methodologies, including professional development courses, training workshops, e-learning programmes, and ideation sessions.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the process by which professionals maintain and develop their skills, knowledge and competence in order to practice safely and effectively.

What makes CPD important?

As the world’s therapy industries continuously evolve, it gets increasingly difficult to overstate the importance of continuing professional development. CPD enables individuals to reinforce and enhance their current skills while reducing any knowledge shortfalls, providing a competitive edge in times where one is needed – a job interview in a gym or clinic, a new club or sports team for example. CPD can also set individuals apart in the job market, as many candidates applying for particular roles often hold similar fundamental qualifications. MAKE YOURSELF STANDOUT…

A planned CPD approach enables individuals to take charge of their career development and aspirations. The personal empowerment derived from professional autonomy can increase confidence in one’s efficacy and ability within treatments, which can translate directly into improved work performance and confidence that clients have in you. This benefits employers, too, as staff are likely to be more motivated and loyal to a company that invests in them and supports their development.

CPD also ensures that both academic and vocational qualifications do not become obsolete, allowing individuals to continually up-skill and develop their proficiencies, regardless of their age, occupation, or educational level.

What are the benefits of CPD?

At its core, CPD helps individuals, organisations, and entire industries maintain and develop knowledge and skills, but it also helps therapists adapt to change for the better. .

Benefits of CPD for individuals

Upskilling

CPD provides a panoramic view of an individual’s skill set, enabling them to hone their prevalent skills while improving those that require work. Ultimately, continual upskilling boosts confidence and empowers the individual to become more proficient in their role.

Benefits of CPD for employers

Improve reputation and team spirit confidence

Clinics and gyms can enhance their reputation and boost brand perception by providing CPD for their therapists enabling confidence and competence in treatments . promoting a healthy learning culture, leading to a happier, more productive workforce, while helping to retain valuable staff and returning clients.

Keeping a record of your CPD

These CPD experiences should be evidenced and recorded in your professional portfolio. Using a portfolio to record your learning experiences will encourage your reflection and learning as well as building evidence to support your professional development and continuing education. It can then be used to share with others or be drawn upon to produce other documents such as a CV, profile or statement