What is CPD?
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill, and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout your working life. Put more simply, it is a life-long learning approach to planning, managing and benefiting from your own development.
By undertaking CPD you can:
- Maintain and enhance your competence in your current role
- Ensure you are competitive in the job market
- Demonstrate commitment to your own development
- Find a new intellectual challenge
CPD is not an adjunct to your work, and the need for it is not dependent on your life or career stage (although it is a requirement for Chartered status). CPD can be any activity — in fact you are probably doing it already — as long as you learn from it, and record and reflect upon that learning.
Institute of Physics Services
The Institute of Physics is launching a new range of continuous professional development and training services, developed exclusively for Institute members. All services are available free of charge or at subsidised rates and most can be accessed online at your own convenience. For more details and for access visit IOP’s careers website.
- 'MyCPD'
- A free online tool that allows you to identify your development needs and plan and record new learning. There is also a version designed to help you work towards Chartered status.
- Manager's Starter PAC
- An online toolkit for the recently promoted which provides the means to carry out a management skills gap analysis and links to appropriate online learning opportunities. Also a must if you are aiming for promotion. Small fee payable.
- Institute of Physics Learning Online
- A range of transferable skills courses you can undertake at your own pace and in your own time. Topics include negotiation skills, coaching and conversations with customers. Small fee payable.
- Institute of Physics Training
- Face to face courses, open to all but discounted to members. Initially on transferable skills topics with a physics slant.