iCPD News – iCPD

Are CPD Certifications Worth Doing?

Naveen Seelam on April 30, 2024

As technology reshapes the way we work and AI presents new challenges, the need for continuing professional development (CPD) certifications becomes increasingly evident. These certifications not only equip us with industry knowledge but also serve as a testament to our commitment to staying current with trends and regularly upskilling.

In this rapidly changing world, investing in CPD certifications from accredited trainers is more than just a choice; it’s a strategic move for professional growth and staying ahead of the curve.

Can I Get a Job with a CPD Certificate?

Gone are the days when a formal degree was the golden ticket to career success. Instead, employers increasingly value practical skills and industry-specific knowledge. In the rapidly changing market, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certifications emerge as invaluable asset, offering individuals a direct pathway to acquiring specialized expertise.

Imagine a world where your potential employer cares more about what you can do than where you went to school. Picture yourself armed with precise insights into the latest trends and practices in your chosen field, courtesy of CPD-accredited training. This scenario is not merely a distant dream; it’s the reality for many proactive professionals navigating today’s competitive job market.

Take, for instance, the Digital Marketing Institute’s accredited training programs. While a formal degree may provide a broad understanding of marketing principles, CPD-certified courses dive deep into the nuances of digital marketing and social media strategies. By participating in such activities, individuals gain targeted knowledge that aligns perfectly with industry demands, setting them apart from their peers.

Now, Let's Pause and Reflect:

1. How does the idea of being judged more on your skills than your academic credentials make you feel?

2. Can you envision yourself pursuing CPD certifications to enhance your career prospects? What fields would you be interested in?

3. Think about the competitive edge CPD-accredited training could give you in your job search. How would it impact your confidence and performance in interviews?

As the workforce landscape continues to evolve, putting effort into continuous learning through CPD becomes not just an option but a necessity for those who seek to excel in their careers.

How to Get a CPD Certification?

CPD certification can be attained by attending any activity offered by an accredited CPD training provider. This could be face-to-face training, a workshop, a conference, an online event, or a webinar. There are also many other informal CPD learning activities, such as mentoring sessions, discussions with colleagues, or reading industry articles independently. Check our CPD directory to find accredited trainers and coaches.

Benefits of CPD Certifications:

According to a report by The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023, Analytical and Creative thinking top the list of Core skills on the rise. A CPD certification in core skills always improves an individual’s core skills like Analytical thinking, Creative thinking, and IT skills.

There are also other enormous benefits to attaining CPD certifications. Professional Development certification helps you comply with industry standards, which are mandatory in a few professions like healthcare, legal, finance, teaching, and education.

They help you learn new skills too. Let’s say you’re an accountant with extensive knowledge of financial regulations and practices, but you feel uncertain about a new accounting tool in the market. In this case, you could enroll in a CPD-certified course tailored to mastering accounting software, enhancing your skills and efficiency in the digital world.

Final Thoughts

In essence, CPD certifications serve as beacons of opportunity, guiding aspiring professionals toward lucrative career paths. They bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, empowering individuals to stay relevant and thrive in ever-evolving industries.

They not only provide better employment opportunities but also help us improve our core skills and keep ourselves compliant with our respective industries’ standards.

CPD Career Compass: Every day is a CPD Day

Naveen Seelam on April 9, 2024

There is a constant upgrade to almost everything we do in our lives, the mobiles we use, the clothes we wear, the coffee we drink, and the media platforms we consume data. There’s always a new model or a new upgrade to everything we use in our daily lives.

Then, there is this constant question, Does the learning stop after graduation?? Achieving a degree in Engineering, Arts or Marketing is surely an achievement to be proud of. But does it stop right there??

Guiding towards New Directions

Achieving a satisfying career journey isn’t just about the qualifications we hold; it’s about continuously evolving and growing. That’s where Continuing Professional Development (CPD) steps in – as our compass guiding us towards greater success.

The CPD Career Compass is a monthly webinar focused on How everyone can upgrade themselves in their professional career by focusing on relatively small tasks daily.

In our first-ever webinar, we have dived deep into the realm of CPD, exploring its significance in shaping our professional trajectory.

We uncovered real-life stories of triumph, showcasing the transformative impact CPD has had on individuals just like us.

Every day is a CPD day!!

Every day is an opportunity to learn something, and Every day is an opportunity to upgrade ourselves both personally and professionally.

According to our recent research, professionals and students alike are missing out on approximately 4 hours of CPD each month. That’s over 50 hours of valuable learning in a year that often goes unacknowledged.

Every podcast we listen to, every video we watch on social media, every article we read in the newspaper — they all can contribute to our daily CPD.

How does CPD influence a switch of career? By Andrew Scarle

Andrew Scarle or Drew as we love to call him is the Head of Sales of the CPD Standards Office, the official accreditation partner of the Institute of CPD. In the webinar, Drew discussed how CPD has influenced him to switch from multiple industries in his career. Started from being a stage performer to spending 6 years of his life on the water as a cruise director, moving to management, and switching into a banking role at Barclays to finally heading himself in leadership roles.

92% attendees of the webinar feel the need to switch their careers.

Drew believes his success hinges largely on his skill in communicating with clients, guests, key decision-makers, and CEOs. He emphasized the importance of continuing professional development (CPD), stating that during his time as a cruise director or banker, he was consistently focused on improving himself, even though he didn’t recognize it as CPD back then.

Rise of CPD.. by Amanda Rosewarne, FInstCPD

Amanda Rosewarne, CEO and Co-Founder of CPD Standards Office since 2012. Over the past 20 years, Amanda has been working with 100’s of organisations on CPD accreditation and CPD practice. The CPD Standards Office was the first independent CPD accreditation service from pioneering university research that explored the concept and practice of CPD on a pan-industry and multi-disciplinary basis.

Amanda’s current view of CPD and the changes over the past few years have been driven by the pandemic, as well as digital trends led by Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning. Coupled with this, there is a huge rise in online courses and education with an exponential number of learners seeking CPD activities in the digital space.

The biggest questions at the moment are ‘How do I do CPD?’ and ‘How can I find great CPD activities’ & ‘What is the difference between CPD accreditation vs CPD learning?’

Register for Episode 2 of the CPD Career Compass where Amanda will be tackling these questions and providing advice and information on how to do great CPD, regardless of your background, educational level, or global location.

Special Read by Andy Kowalski, MInstCPD

Inspired by the webinar, one of the attendees Andy Kowalski, a Member of The CPD Institute has reached out to us about his inspiring Career Compass. Do share with us your Career Compass and we may feature you in the next Career Compass article. Enjoy Reading!

Got the idea to write this as the concept came from a Webinar held this morning by the CPD Institute and driven by Andrew Scarle as he and other representatives from the CPD Institute recounted their varied career journeys and where they finally ended up doing their current roles.

“Careers need to be seen in the context that they are not short races but need to be seen as Marathons with many obstacles along the way that need to be overcome and every person is different and unique in their way”.

I will now recount my own as it has its drivers that made me rise above the situations, I found myself in and got to where I am now!

Andy’s long haul from striving to thriving!

Andy’s STEM career began in 1974 at Fisons Pharmaceuticals, where he learned practical Organic Chemistry techniques.
He transitioned to Loughborough University of Technology in 1975, supporting teaching and research in the Organic Section while advancing his education.
Throughout his career, Andy diversified his skills, adapting to changing technologies like computer labs and electronic procurement systems.
Financial challenges in 2001 led him to take on new roles, including managing the university’s stores and later leading the wet Chemistry lab.
After over 40 years of service, Andy retired in 2015 but found renewed purpose as a freelance STEM Coach and Mentor. He utilised his accumulated skills and experiences to guide others in their career journeys.

Final Thoughts

CPD Career Compass is a strategic tool to navigate our career direction in a structured way. It provides inspiring career stories of professionals who have thrived in their careers using the concepts of CPD.

CPD is like a Tree: Cultivating Your CPD Journey

Naveen Seelam on March 13, 2024

In the vast landscape of professional development, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) stands tall as the sturdy trunk of a tree, its branches reaching out to offer nourishment and growth opportunities to those who seek it. Just as a tree continually grows, CPD ensures that individuals keep learning and evolving in their respective fields. Let’s explore the various facets of CPD and how they resemble the diverse elements of a thriving tree.

Roots of Learning: Understanding CPD.

CPD, or Continuous Professional Development, is the ongoing process of learning and skill development beyond formal education.

It ensures professionals stay updated with industry trends, best practices, and innovations, fostering personal and career growth.

Branching Out: Exploring CPD Activities

In the rich canopy of CPD activities, there exists a multitude of options catering to different learning preferences and styles:

Structured Reading:

Delve into informative texts and articles relevant to your profession.

Books, industry reports & publications and all the relevant reading as per your profession counts under Structured Reading.

Face-to-Face Learning

Interact directly with experts and peers in settings such as:

Training courses
Conferences
Seminars
Workshop events
Research & Development
Forums

Online Learning:

Embrace the flexibility of digital platforms through:

E-learning modules
Webinars
Podcasts
Videos
Apps

Final thoughts

Just as a tree flourishes with nourishment and care, so too does your professional journey with CPD. By embracing the diverse array of learning opportunities available, you can nurture your skills, expand your knowledge, and reach new heights in your career. So, let’s continue to cultivate our CPD journey, one branch at a time, and watch as our potential blossoms into success.

The Power Of Post-Nominals

Laurence Clair on November 28, 2023

The ultimate statement of education and professional standing are Post Nominals, also known as letters after your name. Displayed on your CV, business card, email signature or professional social media, post nominals neatly signal your educational qualifications, honours, membership / grade of professional body and more.

Take my name for example. On its own, it doesn’t tell you anything about me. However, if I add educational qualifications and memberships to professional bodies, it reads “Jessica Saunders BSc (Hons), MSc (Hons), MBPsS, FInstL, FInstCPD”.

This tells you that I have a science graduate degree (BSc), a science master's degree (MSc). In addition, it also tells you that I am a member of the British Psychological Society, and also, a Fellow of the Leaders Institute and the CPD Institute.

In a business context, this gives a public statement of my achievements, and communicates to people (that I may not have met) that I have invested and achieved both academically and professionally. It also provides an insight into my occupation and my commitment to CPD.

By far, the most popular post nominals in use today are those issued by professional bodies and regulators. With over 2500 institutes in the UK, achieving a professional licence, certification or membership grade comes with the ability to publicly state your professional standing.

As a member of the CPD Institute, you are able to add Post Nominals to your name and title, to publicly demonstrate your CPD and lifelong learning achievements. In a post-pandemic, Brexit world, this has never been more critical. Employers and colleagues want to be able to source talent easily, and Post Nominals are a passport to advertising your creedence.

Are Post Nominals in Fashion?

As the number of people completing university studies has grown, so has an indifference to advertising your educational post nominals. In certain industries, it is almost seen as pretentious to state your achievements academically. However, it is important to make clear that this trend only extends to educational qualifications.

Post nominals that indicate your professional standing have a completely different standing. It is widely accepted that your CV, resume or biography is more impressive to employers and peers if your name has post nominals.

They are an immediate signpost that you have invested time and energy to develop your professional status and are serious about your career ambitions.

Professional bodies and institutes are quite stringent on the number of individuals they offer post nominals, and the size of the community that ‘wears their badge’. Hence being part of a professional body, such as the CPD Institute, shows that you are one of the select few who have been publicly awarded to display this professional status.

The Power is in Your Hands

The awarding of post nominals is a proud proactive statement of your professional achievements. In a noisy digital world, your CV or social media bio is immediately strengthened by those crucial letters after your name.

Successful applications and membership with the Institute of CPD awards post nominals. Our ongoing research demonstrates that there is a direct link between post nominals and your employability opportunities. In essence, you are more likely to be promoted, or successfully apply for a new role, if you are actively using letters after your name.

Find out more about how you can apply for the membership of the CPD Institute and achieve post nominals of FInstCPD for Fellow level, MInstCPD for Member level and AInstCPD for Achiever level.

Are CPD Certifications Worth Doing?

April 30, 2024 No Comments

As technology reshapes the way we work and AI presents new challenges, the need for continuing professional development (CPD) certifications becomes increasingly evident. These certifications

CPD Career Compass: Every day is a CPD Day

April 9, 2024 No Comments

There is a constant upgrade to almost everything we do in our lives, the mobiles we use, the clothes we wear, the coffee we drink,

CPD is like a Tree: Cultivating Your CPD Journey

March 13, 2024 No Comments

In the vast landscape of professional development, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) stands tall as the sturdy trunk of a tree, its branches reaching out to

The Power Of Post-Nominals

November 28, 2023 No Comments

The ultimate statement of education and professional standing are Post Nominals, also known as letters after your name. Displayed on your CV, business card, email

Quick Win: How Businesses Can Benefit From A Fresh Approach To CPD

November 28, 2023 No Comments

• Skill sets for jobs have changed by around 25% since 2015. By 2027, this number is expected to double, says LinkedIn • Two-thirds of

Think Like Einstein

November 15, 2023 No Comments

Recommended Sources of Verified CPD Activities: Continuing Professional Development shouldn’t be a chore – but to many it is. Spending time training to brush up

Quick Win: How Businesses Can Benefit From A Fresh Approach To CPD

Laurence Clair on November 28, 2023

• Skill sets for jobs have changed by around 25% since 2015. By 2027, this number is expected to double, says LinkedIn

• Two-thirds of workers say it is likely they will leave their employer because there are not enough opportunities for skills development, according to Workplace Intelligence

• 70% of UK employees would be happier in their current role if they had more opportunities for personal development, according to GoodHabitz

When you hear the term ‘CPD’, what comes to mind? For some, it is a tick-box activity that must be squeezed in around day-to-day tasks. For others, it is part of a healthy learning and development strategy – something which, according to recent reports, is now more important than ever.

From employee retention to customer satisfaction to business resilience in the face of change, a solid learning and development strategy can have far-reaching positive effects. In this article, we explore why such a strategy should be a priority right now, and we look at a quick-win action that businesses can take today.

Keep up with change by increasing business agility

“Tackling tough problems requires new and better skills, and learning is the way through.”

LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2023

In today’s uncertain climate, organisations face upheaval and challenges on numerous fronts. Whether due to global events, political agendas at home or the constantly shifting technology landscape, there is plenty to occupy the minds of business leaders.

Time and again, experts offer the same advice: to weather today’s tough environment, businesses must have the right skills in place. Sometimes, of course, it is not possible to predict what those skills will need to be. So, organisations must be agile – able to move quickly as they respond to new situations. Both LinkedIn and Udemy highlight ‘agility’ as a core focus in their 2023 workplace learning reports, and for good reason. With businesses facing so many pressures in today’s fast-paced world, the ability to adapt in a timely manner is vital.

What does ‘getting the right skills in place’ look like in practice? It means prioritising learning and development. LinkedIn’s report recognises that ‘large upskilling and training programs take time’, but that organisations can move quickly by inspiring ‘more skill building at the individual level’. Most immediately, for example, this might mean more support for existing CPD activities. These are activities already being undertaken, within a structure that is already in place. Some extra recognition of their importance might be all that is needed – perhaps by ring-fencing time within company calendars, providing extra funding for courses or leading by example at the very highest levels. Over time, these small but significant actions will help to shape the company’s wider culture.

Stay relevant for staff by creating a culture of learning

‘A varied learning and development package can help to retain employees by improving engagement and making them feel valued.’

Dr Sarah Pass, Senior Lecturer in HRM at Nottingham Business School

Employee retention is a concern for many UK businesses currently. According to the CIPD’s latest Labour Market Outlook report, ‘vacant jobs are plentiful but available workers are scarce’. Hard-to-fill vacancies are a particular issue, says the report. Meanwhile, it appears that even pay rises are not enough incentive for some workers in the current climate. Jonathan Boys, senior labour market economist at the CIPD, recently summed up this issue: ‘Regular pay growth of 6.7 per cent would normally be a welcome sight for workers, but in the face of inflation running at 10.5 per cent, this increase won’t stop living standards from falling for most working people.’ What is the answer? Boys suggest that employers must consider the ‘whole package’.

Research from learning technology company Docebo, published at the end of last year, reveals the importance of learning and development as part of this ‘package’ for employee retention. Nearly two thirds of respondents said they would consider quitting their job within twelve months if learning opportunities to help with career development were cut or not offered at all. Meanwhile, when it came to job hunting, 8 out of 10 reported that they would be more likely to choose an employer who prioritised continuous learning and development.

The answer to employee retention and engagement, of course, goes beyond sending teams on training courses. For maximum impact, Udemy and LinkedIn both advocate making learning and development a core part of an organisation’s culture.

Creating a culture of learning is about championing learning at every level, both internally and externally. It is about embedding a mindset and philosophy within a company at its core. This may be a long-term project. However, businesses can get ahead in the meantime by making more of the learning – the formal and informal CPD – that employees are already doing.

Take action with this quick win

“Business leaders who embrace learning for everyone are creating an environment where their employees are resilient, prepared, and ready to drive business impact, regardless of the challenges they face.”

Udemy Workplace Learning Trends Report 2023

By reframing and embracing CPD as crucial to employee satisfaction and business impact, an organisation can build on existing foundations. This is a ready-made opportunity to upskill and ensure agility and resilience within the workforce.

One quick way to signal to employees, and to the wider world, that continuous learning is a priority for your business is through the Institute of Continuing Professional Development (iCPD).

For over twenty-five years, the Institute has stood for a philosophy of going ‘over and above’ with learning and development. Through corporate membership, businesses can outwardly show their commitment to learning. Employees, customers and the wider public will visibly see the company’s dedication, and – ultimately – can enjoy the reassurance that this brings.

Find out more

{Sources}

Workplace Intelligence in partnership with Amazon, Upskilling Study

https://workplaceintelligence.com/upskilling-study

CIPD, Labour Market Outlook: Winter 22/23

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/work/trends/labour-market-outlook

Jonathan Boys quotes

https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1813289/pay-struggles-match-inflation-data-reveals-l-d-key-attracting-talent

Docebo, employee workplace learning research

https://www.docebo.com/learning-network/blog/employee-workplace-learning-research/

Goodhabitz, ‘The current state of Personal Development at Work’

https://www.goodhabitz.com/en-gb/inspiration/downloads/the-current-state-of-personal-development-at-work/

Dr Sarah Pass quote

https://www.thehrworld.co.uk/learning-development-engagement/

LinkedIn, Workplace Learning Report 2023

https://learning.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/learning/en-us/pdfs/workplace-learning-report/LinkedIn-Learning_Workplace-Learning-Report-2023-EN.pdf

Udemy, Workplace Learning Trends Report

https://business.udemy.com/2023-workplace-learning-trends-report/