Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

About

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that you gain both formally and informally as you work, beyond any initial training. It’s a record of what you experience, learn and then apply. The term is generally used to mean a physical folder or portfolio documenting your development as a professional. Some organizations use it to mean a training or development plan, which I would argue is not strictly accurate. This article is about Continuing Professional Development as a process of recording and reflecting on learning and development.

CPD combines different methodologies to learning, such as training workshops, conferences and events, e-learning programs, best practice techniques and ideas sharing, all focused for an individual to improve and have effective professional development. 

The key features

To justify the name, CPD needs to:

• be a documented process
• be self-directed: driven by you, not your employer
• focus on learning from experience, reflective learning and review
• help you set development goals and objectives
• include both formal and informal learning.

Objectives

Improves learning ability; Promotes independent learning; Demonstrates ambition and commitment to professional self-improvement; Relevant practical qualifications that will impress current and prospective employers.

Core Principles

• Individual Responsibility
• The Importance of Reflection
• Scope of Work
• CPD and Annual Appraisal
• Balance of CPD
• Documenting CPD
• Employers’ Responsibilities

Outcome measure

Competent teachers who are able to deliver quality lessons to improve the employability of graduates

Rationale

The strategy will built the capacity of teachers and ultimately impact graduates employability by equipping graduates with the required tools (skills, knowledge and attitude)

Scale

450 teachers working in different universities

Resources required

 ICT support for database management of student careers and jobs

Definition of success

there will be competent teachers, improved classroom practices, and high quality learning experiences

Milestones

1. Guideline and standard preparation for HDP and ELIP training
2. Revised & customized HDP  training

Leadership

Academic Vice President of the respective University

Impact

It will have a significant impact to the 80% employability requirement of graduates