Continuing Professional Development
Developing your potential
Continuing professional development (CPD) is about developing your personal professional skills and knowledge. You are the best judge of how much CPD you need to do and which activities will be most beneficial in meeting your learning and development needs. CPD should be proportionate and relevant to your role; you may decide not to keep up to date with areas of our profession which are not directly relevant to you, or if you work part-time, on a voluntary basis or are retired, your CPD may not be extensive.
CPD for the Chartered grades
CPD is mandatory for CQI Chartered Quality Professionals (ie chartered Members and Fellows - MCQI CQP and FCQI CQP) and there is a requirement for members at these grades to undertake, plan and keep records of CPD.
The CQI recognises that the knowledge and skills you require in your work as a quality professional will develop and change as your career progresses and that this will be reflected in your CPD. The CQI also recognises that the role of the quality professional is broadening to include an increasingly wide range of issues: broadly 'innovation' and 'care', to help you plan your CPD.
Whatever the context and demands of your professional life, your CPD should ensure that your skills and knowledge to ensure that they are current and sufficient to deliver your professional service now and at the end of the three-year period under review.
Key principles of CPD
CPD supports the CQI's vision to 'place quality at the heart of every organisation in the UK and globally' by supporting the process of continuous improvement of quality professionals.
You, not the CQI, are responsible for your own professional development and are best placed to identify your development needs and how to fulfil them.
Annual CPD objectives should be based on employer, client and your own requirements as well changes in industry (updates to standards etc), and should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely.