An overview of CPD for Organisations
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is carried out by millions of individuals across a wide range of industries and professions worldwide. It can serve as a valuable resource for organisations across all sectors.
CPD combines different methodologies to learning, such as training courses, seminars, workshops, conferences and events, webinars and online eLearning, as well as sharing best practice, techniques and ideas, all focused towards methodically improving the work environment and raising professional standards.
Introduction to CPD for Organisations
With an increase in competition and rapid changes in both technology and the work environment, Continuing Professional Development can play a crucial role in improving competitiveness and underpinning the successful growth and development of an organisation.
There has been a growing acceptance across industries that formal academic qualifications must be combined with more vocational and skills-based or 'practical' learning.
A structured and methodical approach to learning helps organisations across different industries to retain key staff and develop the skills and knowledge to maintain a sustainable and competitive advantage.
The CPD Certification Service help companies to formalise their training and events into a structured and recognised approach to learning. This can then be applied to the individual needs of professionals CPD requirements.
Continuing Professional Development enables learning to become conscious and proactive, rather than passive and reactive, helping individuals to document and record their workplace improvements throughout their career.
CPD is increasingly becoming recognised by organisations as an important and valuable framework for development regardless of region or industry.
While many traditional professions have specified CPD requirements established through their professional bodies, CPD provides the structure for lifelong learning towards enhancing professional skills at work.
The increase in Continuing Professional Development has been driven by requirements for a system of measurable performance and transparency. 'Professionalisation' in response to legislation changes, consumer needs, and general socioeconomic trends highlights a necessity for ongoing visibility and accountability across sectors.
Benefits of CPD for Employers
From improved staff retention to increased productivity, efficiency and growth, the purpose of Continuing Professional Development is to help organisations and individuals that work within them. Below are some of the key benefits for employers looking to become a CPD provider.
Staff Retention and Recruitment
Organisations that actively engage with CPD are encouraging their workforce to pursue learning, helping to establish an environment where employees feel supported in the workplace. This can ultimately achieve a higher level of job satisfaction and improve staff retention rates.
Productivity and Growth
As employees learn new skills, these can be applied at work to help organisations become more efficient and productive. Continuing Professional Development is the ideal tool to fill knowledge gaps and forms the basis for constant upskilling, leading to new innovation and improvements.
Reduced Training Costs
CPD does not necessarily require significant financial investment, and recognises the value of structured learning such as training courses and events as well as unstructured learning, like reading relevant books and industry articles. Consequently, Continuing Professional Development can often be an inexpensive option for many organisations.
Encourages Learning Culture
Continuing Professional Development puts emphasises on individuals to proactively learn and develop within their role, empowering professionals in their workplace. Supporting CPD creates a culture of learning which leads to a constant search for improvement that can translate into overall growth and success.
Improve Manage Efficiency
CPD can often be a helpful focal point for management reviews and annual appraisals. Employees can align their ongoing Continuing Professional Development with organisational objectives, allowing employees and management to work together around common goals, strategy and mission.
Maintain Industry Compliance
Focusing on relevant CPD can be the means to ensure staff remain compliant with current legislation in areas, staying up to date with latest legal and mandatory requirements, helping to avoid any potential concerns or issues, and ensuring any necessary regulations are adhered to, maintaining reputation and operational integrity.
CPD accreditation for training and events
Established in 1996, The CPD Certification Service provides accreditation for organisations ranging from small consultancy firms to large training providers, multi-national corporations, conference & events organisers, universities, further education colleges, local authorities, councils and Government departments.
Gaining industry-recognised CPD accreditation and engaging with CPD helps organisations to improve their educational offering and formalise training and events to an industry-recognised approach to learning.
Organisations become CPD accredited to demonstrate their commitment to both staff and customers that their training meets industry standards, helping to positioning themselves as industry experts.
CPD accreditation enables organisations to present themselves professionally to various stakeholders, increasing the likelihood of reaching the right target audience and potenitally acquiring more customers.
CPD for Employers
Organisations taking a proactive role with CPD for their employees are able to see the clear benefits of having a more highly skilled, training-focused, and motivated workforce.
Creating a culture committed to Continuing Professional Development encourages the workforce to actively seek to constantly upskill, learn, and improve. This is ultimately the basis by which an organisation can continue its overall growth and success.
Actively engaging with CPD is important for employers in many ways, as by increasing the knowledge and skills of the workforce, an organisation can help to retain key staff, improve productivity, as well as reduce the costs associated with inefficient or poorly skilled teams.
CPD in the workplace
All organisations that face competition look to find ways to retain key staff and help differentiate themselves as leaders in their industry.
The use of Continuing Professional Development in the workplace shows a mindful decision and commitment towards both clients and employees that professionalism is important. More and more employers can recognise that Continuing Professional Development is a valuable tool to ensure quality levels remain high across all areas of the business.
CPD can help to identify potential skill gaps in the workplace, as well as highlight areas where the business can be improved. CPD encourages a healthy learning culture which can lead to a more fulfilled, productive and valuable workforce.
Thousands of CPD training providers are sharing their skills with the world
