The Coach House
Ealing Green
London W5 5ER
T: 020 8840 4383
F: 020 8579 3991
info@cpduk.co.uk
 

WHAT DO I NEED TO LEARN?

This comprises two types of information, Where I am now and What I hope to achieve.

Where am I now?

In order to identify future learning and development needs it is important to review your personal and professional experience to date. It is often said that there is no point in deciding where you are going until you have established where you are now. As with other areas in business, identifying what you have already achieved (in this case in terms of skills and knowledge) can provide a sound basis for planning for the future.

An effective method of self-appraisal is to identify your strengths and weaknesses and to examine both the opportunities and the threats you may face.

‘SWOT’ ANALYSIS
Strengths

What are your core skills?

What do you do well?

  • technical skills and knowledge?
  • other transferable skills?
    -financial /commercial management
    -information technology
    -business management
    -communication skills etc.
Weaknesses

Where are your skills/knowledge lacking?

What would you like to improve?

  • from your own point of view?
  • from the point of view of other people?
    -colleagues
    -clients
Opportunities

What are the opportunities facing you?

What are the interesting new trends?

  • changes in markets and professional practice
  • emerging new specialisms
  • developments in technology
  • moves towards quality assurance
  • assuming a management role
Threats

What obstacles do you face?

Is your professional role changing?

  • competition from other businesses
  • merger with other bodies
  • legislative changes
  • different skills required when running a small business
  • limited opportunities for progression
  • threat of redundancy

This kind of analysis should enable you to determine areas of interest and aspirations that can be used to shape plans for further development. Although there are clear benefits in planning CPD to develop knowledge and skills in new or weaker areas, you should not overlook the potential for further development in your stronger areas. Building on existing strengths is as relevant an aim for CPD as improving in areas of weakness.