We hear about CPD points, but why are they so important? And what does it all mean?
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Continued professional development (CPD) is something we hear a lot about these days. We even get points for it. What exactly does it all mean?
Continued professional development is all about any extra learning undertaken by someone in a profession – and that includes those in plumbing. Often you will notice that certain plumbing events promise a certain amount of CPD points.
CPD points measure learning activities and skills that you undertake to supplement your current understanding of your profession, and in our case, plumbing.
We live in a world where there is always a new way of doing things, or new technology that emerges – like smart shower heads and smart toilets, for example. Attending continued professional development events helps keep you up to date with the new technology and the new methods so that you can stay on top of the trends and gain an understanding of how the plumbing industry and profession is evolving.
At the same time, you are adding to the knowledge and skillset you already have, which could lead to you being more effective at your job. This has a powerful knock-on effect on the plumbing profession as a whole because it raises the knowledge and skillset available within the plumbing industry.
The CPD points themselves serve as evidence of you undertaking that professional development.
Employers are also keen to see that their employees are staying on top of any changes in their profession. This shows initiative and a real interest in the profession. It also means that you perhaps recognise a skills gap and are willing to add new skills to what you already can do.
Getting CPD points and advancing your skills and understanding shows you are motivated and interested in your career, which is something managers like to see. Above all though, the person who benefits the most is you.
Sources
- CPD Points Demystified: Everything You Need to Know (workplacehero.co.uk)
- What is CPD and why is it important | Future-proofing your career – FutureLearn
