What is CPD and How Can It Help Careers?

• CPD describes learning new career skills or enhancing existing ones to boost confidence, improve your job performance and open the door to new career opportunities.
• There are three main types of CPD – structured, reflexive, and informal – with structured learning offering the most recognised benefits.
• Many sectors, including health and safety, expect continuing professional development for compliance and industry recognition.
• Human Focus provides accredited CPD courses that combine flexibility with certification, helping you achieve your career goals.

CPD is continuing professional development. It’s essentially ongoing learning to help you advance in your career, either by upskilling or reskilling.

Upskilling is learning how to do your existing job better. It can involve building on your strengths, filling in knowledge gaps or learning new skills related to your present role. Upskilling is often necessary for career development on your current track.

Reskilling is learning how to do a new job for those looking to take on a different role or even change careers.

How and what you learn depends on the type of CPD you choose.

There are three types of CPD:

• Structured
• Reflexive
• Informal

Structured CPD is active learning. It involves following an organised training programme with interactive elements. For example:

• Training courses (online and in-person)
• Workshops
• Conferences
• Seminars

There are two primary advantages to a structured approach: quality and certification.

Because it’s planned by experts, structured training should always be accurate and well-delivered. For the same reasons, structured courses often offer accredited, industry-recognised certificates.

This value does come with a cost. The best courses are paid, and you’ll have to learn on someone else’s schedule for in-person events.

Reflexive CPD is passive learning. It can still be structured but needs no input. For example:

• Attending lectures
• Watching training videos
• Listening to podcasts
• Reading case studies

In each of these examples, you only have to pay attention to learn. Some events also offer certification, although they won’t necessarily carry the same weight as those earned through active learning.

Informal CPD is self-directed learning. You choose what you want to study and when to do it. The freedom of self-directed learning can make it easier to fit around your schedule. It also lets you choose precisely what you want to learn, which helps with engagement.

But there are downsides to this informality. Self-directed learning lacks defined timeframes, outcomes and, crucially, oversight. Without any oversight from an accredited body, you can’t be sure what you’re learning is accurate or relevant. You can’t earn industry-recognised certificates, either.

Combining different types of CPD can be more effective than sticking to one method. A blended approach gives you more control over what and how you learn, which can keep you invested and help with retention.

But the CPD Certification Service suggest any successful learning plan should be made up of at least 50% structured content. This balance gives you some control while ensuring you stay on track and earn the recognised certificates self-directed learning lacks.

What is CPD? It’s a clear path to career growth.

Building new skills or mastering existing ones is essential for staying competitive and achieving your goals. Whether you want to advance in your current role or branch into new opportunities, continuing professional development can give you the tools you need.

We’ve explored some of the key career benefits in more detail below.

One of the most immediate benefits is improving how you perform in your current role. It helps you:

• Keep your knowledge up to date: Business trends and sectors can evolve quickly. Continuing professional development ensures you stay current and can apply the latest methods confidently and effectively.
• Solve workplace challenges: Filling knowledge gaps or learning new approaches helps you tackle problems that may have previously held you back. This can make your work feel less overwhelming and more rewarding.
• Boost job satisfaction: Personal growth often translates into greater career satisfaction, which can have a ripple effect on your productivity and motivation.

Enhancing skills also boosts confidence. Knowing you can handle challenges in your role can make a significant difference in how you approach your work. This confidence can:

• Boost performance: Confidence often translates into better results. When you trust in your abilities, you’re more likely to take initiative and make decisions effectively.
• Enhance your reputation: Clients, colleagues and managers notice self-assurance. Being seen as confident can strengthen professional relationships and impress clients.
• Open new doors: Confidence enables you to step outside your comfort zone, whether that’s pursuing a leadership role, taking on new responsibilities or pitching ideas to decision-makers. These actions can widen your career opportunities.
• Increase resilience: Knowledge and training help you stay composed in the face of challenges, making it easier to adapt to changes or setbacks in your role.

CPD can equip you with the skills and knowledge to unlock new career opportunities. It can help you:

• Take on new responsibilities: Learning new skills can prepare you for new challenges and responsibilities, making you a strong candidate for promotions.
• Achieve career progression: Personal development is a key factor in career progression. Employers value professionals who are ambitious and willing to learn.
• Reskill for a career change: CPD can help you learn what’s required for your next role. It’s especially helpful for career changers seeking roles with better job security or personal fulfilment.
• Future-proof your career: Continuing professional development ensures your skills stay relevant. This adaptability can make you indispensable in your current role or give you an edge in competitive job markets.

Certain regulated sectors and professional bodies require ongoing development to retain your credentials and prove your competence. Investing in CPD can help you:

• Meet professional standards: Professionals in regulated sectors must keep up with industry standards. For example, healthcare professionals are expected to learn and develop their practice as new treatments are developed.
• Retain memberships and licences: Memberships to professional organisations, such as IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health), often depend on completing CPD activities. Staying active in these bodies boosts your professional credibility.
• Gain industry-recognised certifications: Structured learning provides tangible proof of your expertise. These qualifications can set you apart in competitive industries, particularly if they’re accredited by notable bodies like the CPD Certification Service.

Various providers offer CPD courses, but some are better than others. To ensure your efforts pay off, it’s important to select courses that are both accredited and aligned with your goals.

Structured learning is ideal for those who need formal, recognised training, while reflexive or informal methods can help “top up” your knowledge and fill in specific gaps.

For those in specialised fields like health and safety, choosing sector-specific CPD ensures the training directly supports your role. Our range of accredited online courses combines flexibility with recognised certification, making it easier to enhance your skills and advance your career.

If you’re looking to enhance your career, Human Focus offers a comprehensive range of online training courses approved by the CPD Certification Service. These courses provide the assurance of high-quality, accredited training while offering the flexibility to learn when you want.

With Human Focus, you can access structured CPD training across a variety of subjects. And every course earns you a recognised certificate that demonstrates your expertise to employers, clients and industry bodies.

Take the next step in your career today. Explore our CPD Courses and start learning now.