Managing your CPD

To use the online CPD recording system you need to register or login

If you are a member of a professional body, then you should adopt their requirements and processes. If you are do not belong to a professional body, from the point of view of the sector and its clients, your employer, or yourself, it is still important to manage your own development to ensure you keep pace with changes in the industry and maximise your own career opportunities. 

If you do not have a structure for managing your own CPD, the following framework, developed within the sector, offers an alternative. The model proposed in the EUSCCCIP (European Project for the Use of Standards of Competence in CPD for Construction Industry Practitioners) framework has set a pattern already recommended by a number of bodies. This model was developed by a european four nation team. The EUSCCCIP framework seeks to provide an outline specification based upon the contents of the best practice CPD systems which can be applied by individuals, employers, organisations, and Professional Institutions in the construction industries of UK countries. This model does not seek to specify what topics should be covered by CPD, how much CPD should be undertaken, or how CPD should be delivered. The framework seeks to encourage designers of CPD systems to move away from those
based on inputs (e.g. time spent) towards outcomes. The EUSSSCIP framework encourages a planned and reflective approach to CPD and provides a model for good practice on the basis of which individuals and organisations may wish to develop their own CPD practices and policies.

The Framework is intended to provide a flexible and comprehensive specification for CPD within any sector of industry. The framework should serve as a useful checklist for both practitioners and those producing CPD guidance or requirements.

The EUSCCCIP Framework identifies a successful CPD system to consist of a structure and procedures to help an individual undertake CPD efficiently, and in a regular way.

The Framework is illustrated in the diagram below.

• The four essential ‘Processes’ - ‘Review’, ‘Planning’, ‘Development Activities’ and ‘Assessing Achievement’ - which an individual, undertaking CPD, goes through. Each process is part of a continuous cycle, inter-relates with the others and has outputs which feed into the next process. More details on these processes are provided in this document.
• Each of the processes results in a written ‘Output’. These are ‘Profiles’, ‘Plans’, ‘Records’ and ‘Evidence’ – which record individuals’ intentions and demonstrate their achievements. They also provide evidence of carrying out the processes and can be used to monitor and improve quality
• The three ‘Supporting Functions’ - ‘Support and Guidance’, ‘Standards of Competence’ and ‘Quality’ - which underpin and facilitate the processes.

To find out more about the importance of Continuing Professional Development in the sector and access guidance about how to manage your own development (including more about using the EuSCCCIP framework), please go to the Construction Industry Council’s CPD Best Practice Guidance document: http://www.cic.org.uk/activities/CPDguidance0706.pdf

Whichever approach to CPD is adopted, it is important to record what you do. Many professionals need to formally record their CPD to meet the requirements of their employer, clients, or Professional Institution(s). However, recording CPD can be useful for a number of reasons other than for meeting the requirements of others. It can play a key part in the planning and reviewing of CPD activities, as well as providing a useful source when updating a Curriculum Vitae, making a case for promotion or bidding for projects. CPD Record Books, or online CPD records, have been introduced in the UK by many organisations.

Development activities: These can include:
-direct work experience opportunities
-informal self-directed learning
-formal structured learning.

These different development activities and opportunities can be used separately, or in tandem to aid your development against your selected development needs and objectives.

 

To use the online CPD recording system you need to register or login