Week Three- Continuing Professional Development

Many professions require you to continually develop to be able to work in their field. A really good example of this is Practitioners in QLD.

Practitioners are required to complete a minimum of 10 CPD points each year to maintain their practising certificate, stay up to date with legislative changes and the evolution of the ‘business of law’ in their practices. Queensland Law Society offers opportunities to help practitioners gain their CPD points such as:

• attending seminars and conferences
• preparing for presenting at seminars/conferences
• viewing on-demand recordings of conferences/seminars
• publishing articles in law journals and other legal publications such as Proctor
• becoming a member of a Queensland Law Society (QLS) section or committee. (QLS, 2019)

Another great example of this is Nurses in Australia. A registered or enrolled nurse needs to complete a minimum of 20 Hours CPD hours directly relating to the nurses context of practice. This is monitored by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and random Nurses and Midwife’s will be audited frequently.

• For Nurses or Midwifes CPD records may include participation in the following activities: 

  • tertiary, vocational and other accredited courses including distance education (should relate to context of practice) 

  • conferences, forums, seminars and symposia 

  • short courses, workshops, seminars and discussion groups through a professional group or 
organisation who may issue a certificate of compliance/completion 

  • mandatory learning activities in the workplace in the area of practice 

  • self-directed learning, and 

  • any other structured learning activities not covered above. 


Both examples are highly regarded professions and I believe they use CPD requirements to help retain their currency and build on their skills and knowledge. A CPD is important in a workforce as it delivers benefits to the individual, their profession and the public. CPD ensures your capabilities keep pace with the current standards of others in the same field.

-Natalie

References:

The importance of continuing professional development, 2019, QLD, Viewed 12^th august 2019, URL: https://continuingprofessionaldevelopment.org/why-is-cpd-important/

Continuing professional development, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, QLD, 2019, Viewed 12^th August 2019, URL: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/FAQ/CPD-FAQ-for-nurses-and-midwives.aspx

Continuing professional Development (CPD), Queensland Law Society, QLD, 2019, Viewed 12^th August 2019, URL: https://www.qls.com.au/For_the_profession/Your_legal_career/Continuing_Professional_Development_CPD