What Is Continuing Professional Development (CPD)?

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As you move into the education sector of the beauty industry, you are likely to come across the term Continuing Professional Development (CPD). So, what is this and does it apply to you?

Simply put, CPD is the official way of tracking the level of skill and knowledge that an educator possesses. If you are an assessor or verifier then CPD is a compulsory requirement, although it is recommended that industry professionals such as trainers and lecturers also look at their Continuing Professional Development. This means there is a level of study you are required to do each year to show that you are keeping up-to-date with treatments and advancements.

CPD Points

Each course that you take will have been awarded a certain number of CPD points according to their content. Assessors and verifiers must earn at least 30 CPD points per year to show that they are developing their knowledge, and this is also a good benchmark for other industry professionals. Whilst this may seem like a lot of work, it can mean that you plan where you want your career to go and what areas you would like to develop. You will therefore have a clear career path to follow over a 12 month period.

Earning CPD Points

There are a variety of ways that you can earn CPD points, including completing a number of courses. It is usually the assessments that carry the CPD points, so you can look for anything that offers a CPD assessment, which many not always be a traditional training course. Some practical work will also count towards your CPD accumulation. Whilst Continuing Professional Development is all about keeping abreast of changes in the industry, you will not earn CPD points by reading the trade press, visiting trade shows or watching videos.

If you are in any doubt as to whether an activity, course or assessment will count towards your CPD total, you should check with HABIA directly for clarification.

CPD Registration

If you choose to follow a Continuing Professional Development path then you can register with HABIA. They will help you to learn where you can obtain your points and will also keep a tally of them and issue you with a certificate when you have completed your quota.

CPD can be an important part of a trainers career, and whilst it may seem like a lot of hard work, it is a great way to ensure you are always on top of changes and developments in the industry.

 

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