Interactive CPD Toolkit PDF

Interactive CPD Toolkit
A Step-by-Step Guide to Progress your Career and Record your

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
2
www.jobs.ac.uk Interactive CPD Toolkit Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google+
Main Menu
This document contains both guidance and forms that can be filled in on screen or
printed out and completed by hand.
Use the navigation to take you through it in order, or dip in and out of it as your career
progresses to monitor your progress and keep it on track.
Click on the relevant arrow below to begin.
Getting Started The CPD Toolkit Additional information
Introduction to CPD Section 1 All forms in this Toolkit

Where am I now?
How to use this Toolkit Further reading
Section 2
Goals, objectives and
action plans
Section 3
Learning logs
Section 4
Achievements
3
Introduction
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is 3 Tracking
a recognised, systematic way of tracking your
professional development on an ongoing basis. If you have recorded your learning, you can see how you
It also helps you to document and reflect on any are progressing and developing and where the gaps in
learning or training that you either undertake your capabilities are. Then you can set the direction and
objectives for future learning and training.
formally or acquire informally.
There are 5 aspects to CPD:
4 Planning
1 Recording Planning is taking the next step towards your objective and
about making the direction more concrete. If you see a gap
in your abilities, you can plan your next move,whether it
You need to record the steps in your development as
is shadowing someone with more experience, going on a
a professional, including training events and informal
training course or just talking about it to other people.
learning. Development is not necessarily about the
core content of your profession, as doing your job will
require other skills and abilities such as communication or 5 Reviewing
information management.
These are often the skills you acquire in the course Reviewing your development objectives in a
of your work,which help you to do your job and build systematic way helps you to measure your progress and
your overall capability. demonstrates that you have achieved your goals.
2 Reflecting Why do it?
The very activity of writing something down will help you to Completing your CPD Toolkit regularly and reviewing your progress
think about it. Reflecting on events and experiences helps will help you to set a direction and keep your development going
you to integrate the learning and see how you may be able the way you want it to. You can also use it as a record which will:
to use it in other situations.
Remind you of what you have learned and how far you have come
demonstrate your enthusiasm for developing yourself to your
employer or prospective employers
provide examples and scenarios for appraisals and interviews.
4
How to use this Toolkit

There is no best way to use the forms in this Additional forms The sections are:
Toolkit as CPD is not a fixed or regulated process. Section 1: Where am I now?
You can make copies of the forms as many times as you
Some guidance is provided, but its up to you want if you print them out. If you type into the electronic Form in this section:
to use it in the way that suits you best. version, the grids will expand while you are typing and
additional forms have been included. Where am I now? a
snapshot of your current
professional position
The CPD Toolkit
Section 2: Goals, objectives
Navigating around this Toolkit and action plans
The Toolkit is divided into four main sections, which
comprise a page of guidance notes followed by one Forms in this section:
or two forms to be completed by you. On the electronic version, you can easily go to any section
by clicking the coloured boxes on the Main Menu. Statement of Intent long
You can start with any section you like, although it may term overall goals
be useful to begin at Section 1. You can use the blue bar on each page [top right] to
navigate back to the Main Menu. Objective and Action Plan for
each objective
To view the forms, you can either go straight to them by
clicking All forms in this Toolkit on the Main Menu, or you Section 3: Learning logs
Completing the forms
can go to the forms individually, via each section as you Forms in this section:
complete them.
You can complete the forms either by printing them out or Formal Learning Log a record
You can always go back to the notes/instructions for each of your formal learning/training
by typing directly in the interactive electronic version. This form by clicking Back to notes and go to the next section
is the start of your CPD portfolio which, if you keep using it, by clicking To next section. Informal Learning Log a
will build into a useful career resource. record of your informal learning
Section 4: Achievements
Forms in this section:
Reviewing the forms
Formal Achievements Record
Informal Achievements Record
You can keep your forms in either a physical or an electronic
folder.You can then review them at any time you need and
keep recording your professional progress.
5
The forms in this Toolkit
Where am I now? Learning logs
Where Am I now? Formal Learning Log Informal Learning Log

7 17 23
www.jobs.ac.uk Interactive CPD Toolkit Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google+ www.jobs.ac.uk Interactive CPD Toolkit Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google+ www.jobs.ac.uk Interactive CPD Toolkit Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google+
Where am I now? [Form 1 of 3] Formal Learning Log [Form 1 of 5] Informal Learning Log [Form 1 of 5]
Experiencing it Experiencing it Theorising about it Applying it

Position held Date
Event Date Topic Your Comments Additional Learning Situation What Happened? Your Comments What you learned How will you apply it?
Job-specific skills and knowledge Capabilities Transferable skills Work Values Interests
Back to notes Duplicate form To next section Back to notes Duplicate form To next form Back to notes Duplicate form To next section
Goals, objectives and action plans Achievements
Statement of Intent Objective and Action Plan Formal Achievements Record Informal Achievements Record
11 13 29 33
www.jobs.ac.uk Interactive CPD Toolkit Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google+ www.jobs.ac.uk Interactive CPD Toolkit Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google+ www.jobs.ac.uk Interactive CPD Toolkit Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google+ www.jobs.ac.uk Interactive CPD Toolkit Tweet this ebook, share on Facebook, LinkedIn or Google+
Statement of Intent Long-term overall goals Objective and Action Plan [Form 1 of 3] Formal Achievements Record [Form 1 of 3] Informal Achievements Record [Form 1 of 3]
What would you like to be doing, professionally, in 10 years time? Part 1: Objective
Achievement Date Your Comments Situation Task Action Result
Your development objective (is it SMART?)
What would you like to be doing, professionally, in 5 years time? What you will be able to do or do better when you have achieved it?
Who else will benefit?
What would you like to be doing, professionally, in 3 years time?
When will you achieve it by?

A specific date.
Three strong areas what are you best at?

Part 2: Action Plan
Overall strategy (the learning method)
Three weaker areas what would you like to be better at?

Resources (that you will need to be able to achieve it)
First step (what will you do today, tomorrow or next week?) Write a date.
Three areas you would like to develop further
Review date
Back to notes To next form Back to notes Duplicate form To next section Back to notes Duplicate form To next form Back to notes Duplicate form
6
Introduction
Where am I now?
Use the form within this section to take a snapshot of 3 Transferable skills
your current position to take stock of where you are now.
These are skills you have that are transferable to other jobs.
Duplicate forms are included so you can then review it Some of them will come from your job-specific skills list and others from previous
and update it regularly from other sections. jobs or outside interests.
How to use this form, Where am I now? Ask yourself whether you could use it in another job.
The form is divided into five columns: Examples include:

presenting ideas formally
1 Job-specific skills and knowledge organising events
managing a budget
These are the core skills and knowledge that is directly related to your job.
Examples include: 4 Work Values
analysing data Your values have an impact on what you do. If your values are not compatible with the
lecturing/teaching job you do, you may not be happy in your work.
specialist topic knowledge Examples include:
If you dont have a job specification to work from, think of what you no commercial imperatives
do every day in your job and write down the knowledge and skills
seeing results and making a difference
relating to each activity.
security
2 Capabilities
5 Interests
Capabilities or competencies are different from specific skills as they
This is a list of areas that genuinely interest you and that you enjoy both in and
are not so focused and have more to do with what you are like.
outside of work and many may include specific hobbies.
You may or may not use them in your current job. Your capabilities
Examples include:
are always transferable to other situations as they are generic.
your subject area
Examples include:
helping people learn
influencing and persuading people researching and writing
attention to detail
initiating ideas Where am I now Complete the form
7
Where am I now? [Form 1 of 3]
Position held Date
Back to notes Duplicate form To next section

8
Position held Date

9
Position held Date
Back to notes To next section

10
Goals, objectives and action plans Part 1
The two forms in this section will help you to Part 4: Strengths
set development objectives and plan actions
to achieve them. Make a note of three areas or activities in which
you feel at your best and most comfortable.
The first form is a Statement of Intent, which
will help you to record a general statement of
intent, documenting your longer-term goals
and, initially, three areas for development. Part 5: Weaknesses
The second form, Objectives and Action Plan,
Make a note of areas that you feel need
is about setting development objectives and further development.
formulating action plans in the shorter term,
starting from now.
How to use the Statement of Intent form
Part 6: Areas for development
This form has 6 parts:
From your areas of strengths and weaknesses, make
Parts 1-3: Long-term goal(s) a note of no more than three areas that you would like
to develop. These can either be strengths that you want
to build on or weaknesses that you want to strengthen.
These are goals that you are aiming to achieve in the You can then turn these into clear objectives, one by one,
long-term in three, five or even ten years time. This need on the next form.
not be very precise, as you may change it as you go along.
You may also be happy to leave the future open-ended and
not have a longer-term goal at all. However, it does help
if you have some idea of where you are going so that it
provides a framework for your overall development.
Statement of intent Complete the form

11
Statement of Intent Long-term overall goals
Three strong areas what are you best at?
Three weaker areas what would you like to be better at?
Three areas you would like to develop further
Back to notes To next form

12
Goals, objectives and action plans Part 2
The Objectives and Action Plan form is about Part 2: Action plans
setting development objectives and formulating
action plans in the shorter term, starting from now. Action planning also has to be specific, realistic and
time-bound. You need to:
Duplicate forms are included so you can
return to this exercise at regular intervals or Start with your SMART development objective
as required. Identify your overall strategy and the learning methods
you think would be appropriate. For example, go on a
How to use the Objectives and Action Plans form training course, shadow a colleague etc.
Dont set yourself more than three development objectives at one Plan the first step (for example, speaking to your line
time you wont be able to achieve them. Building on the three manager), and plan to do it as soon as possible
areas for development you identified in the last part of this section,
you can clarify your objectives. Use one form for each objective. Decide on a review date for the plan. This may be the
same as your development objective review date. Put it
in your diary and do it, even if you havent reached the
Part 1: Setting Development Objectives objective - you may need to revise your plan.
You also need to make a note of the resources (people,
Your development objectives are short to medium-term, and focus money, training) you need to be able to put your plan
on particular areas for development. A development objective into action.
needs to be precise. Its more than just a statement of intent; its
a clear and focused goal. Every objective needs to be SMART:
Specific exactly what you want to be able to do
Measurable exactly what you will be able to do or do better
when you have achieved it
Achievable based on your capability and the constraints
of your situation
Realistic based on the constraints of your work, time
and commitments
Time-bound with a firm date for achieving it.
Statement of intent Complete the form

13
Objective and Action Plan [Form 1 of 3]
Part 1: Objective
What you will be able to do or do better when you have achieved it?

A specific date.
Part 2: Action Plan

Review date

14
Part 1: Objective

A specific date.
Part 2: Action Plan

Review date

15
Part 1: Objective

A specific date.
Part 2: Action Plan

Review date

16
Learning logs Part 1
There are two forms in this section, both of which

are useful for tracking your formal and informal
learning and helping you to reflect on an ongoing
basis rather than at regular intervals.
Duplicate forms are included so you can return to
these exercises at regular intervals or as required.
How to use the Formal Learning Log
This is where you make a note of any formal training events,

seminars or conferences you attend, with any comments about
it and anything you learned other than the main topic.
This form is divided into 5 columns:
Event
Date
Topic
Your comments
Additional Learning
The Formal
Complete the form
Learning Log
17
Formal Learning Log [Form 1 of 5]
Event Date Topic Your Comments Additional Learning

form
18
Back to notes Duplicate form To next form

19

20

21

22
The learning experience can begin from Learning from feedback

Learning logs Part 2 any of the four stages. Different people are
Feedback on what you do, how you do
happier with different stages of the cycle
it and how it is experienced is the single
(this is your preferred learning style) and
This form is to help you document and reflect most effective tool for learning, and is part
circumstances also dictate the stage that
on any incidental learning that you pick up as of every informal learning experience.
learning starts from. It makes no difference
you go along. However, despite this and despite the
to the outcome of the learning, as long as
amount of potential feedback there is
all stages are given equal weight.
Duplicate forms are included so you can return to we often shy away from it.
these exercises at regular intervals or as required. No one stage on its own makes a whole
learning experience. All the stages are
important and each leads onto the next. Top tips for receiving feedback
When we learn as we go along, we often
How to use the Informal Learning Log 1. A
sk for it! If you ask, youre prepared
miss out the reflecting stage in our dash
and you wont be caught off-guard
to get on to the next thing. The Informal
Detailed research over the years has shown that we learn by doing 2. Listen carefully to what is being said
Learning Log helps you to do this as you
something, from experience*.
note down your experiences. 3. L et the person finish and dont
This experiential learning generally follows a cycle made up interrupt - you may miss some praise!
Some examples of informal learning
of four stages:
activities include: 4. Dont rush to justify your actions
Experiencing it Informal learning activities at work 5. A
sk questions to clarify anything you
doing something
Job shadowing dont understand
1 Job swapping/job rotation 6. A
sk for suggestions on how you could
Coaching and mentoring have done better
Buddying, peer-coaching, 7. Listen for the good as well as the bad
Sitting with Nellie
8. Think about it and get other
Sources of informal learning peoples feedback
4 2 Reflecting on it Learning from successes 9. R
emember that its up to you whether
Applying it thinking and talking
Learning from mistakes or not you take action as a result
planning and about it
putting it into action Learning from other people
Learning from feedback
3
Theorising about it
drawing conclusions and
The Informal
fitting it into a pattern Complete the form
Learning Log
23
Informal Learning Log [Form 1 of 5]

Situation What Happened? Your Comments What you learned How will you apply it?

24


25


26


27


28
Achievements Part 1
This section is where you How to use the Formal Achievements Record
document your achievements.
The form on the following page provides a simple way
The two forms in this section will
of documenting your formally recognised achievements.
help you in an appraisal or a job
interview. They will also remind Examples include:
you of your successes. A new job
Duplicate forms are included so Promotion

you can return to these exercises Extra responsibilities
at regular intervals or as required. Bonuses
Successes
A particularly good review or appraisal
Formal Achievements Complete the form

29
Formal Achievements Record [Form 1 of 3]
Achievement Date Your Comments

30

31

32
Achievements Part 2 Example
This form will help you to record informal successes

at work: situations that may not necessarily be
formally recognised, but that demonstrate your Situation
competence and ability to learn. A team members poor attitude and absenteeism
is becoming a problem for the team.
Task
To find out what is causing the problem, help her to overcome
How to use the Informal Achievements Record
it and improve performance.
This form is arranged in four columns:

Action
Situation: make a note of the situation you were initially faced with
Task: identify what you had to do 1. Asked my managers advice on how to approach her.
Action: describe the action you took 2. Monitored her days off sick for a month (irrefutable evidence).
Result: describe the result of your action 3. Talked to her in private & asked what I could do to help.
4. Offered more involvement in decisions affecting her.
Result
Shes more involved and motivated. Attitude is much better
and 100% improvement on absenteeism this month.
This formula helps you to think logically through a situation

where your actions have resulted in a successful outcome.
It helps if you complete this record as soon as possible after
the event as you may not remember it a few weeks (or months)
down the line.
Informal Achievements Complete the form

33
Informal Achievements Record [Form 1 of 3]
Situation Task Action Result
Back to notes Duplicate form

34
Back to notes Duplicate form

35
Back to notes
36
Further reading
About the author

You may like these other ebooks from jobs.ac.uk:
Melanie Allen is a Career, Life and Leadership Coach working in
Career Planning ebook Yorkshire. She brings over 20 years of writing and developing
Career Development, Leadership and Coaching training, several
Choosing to get a new job or to focus on regaining the love for your publications and plenty of life experience to her work.
current job will benefit from a structured approach and this ebook
is going to help you do just this. Follow the 11 steps, complete the She completed her Diploma in Advanced Executive Coaching from
Career Planning ebook
simple exercises and feel more confident in your decision making. 11 Easy Steps
the Academy of Executive Coaching in 2003. Since then she has
to Create your Career Plan & Set Career Goals
established her coaching business, working with organisational
and private clients both face to face and over the phone.
Career Planning for PhDs ebook
Visit the website: www.melanieallen.co.uk for more information.
The PhD is increasingly opening doors to a whole range of
opportunities, particularly if you develop the rounded experience,
knowledge and skills required by employers. This ebook will help
you explore your options after PhD, learn from the positive
experience of other researchers, consider what is required to
succeed in a competitive job market and take action so you can Career Planning for
PhDs ebook
open doors to your future career. Activities & Advice to Help you
Explore your Options & Succeed in a
Competitive Job Market
Career Development Toolkit for Higher Education Professionals
Careers in Higher Education (HE) are changing rapidly as institutions

adapt to a global marketplace for students, and as the political and
economic landscape becomes more challenging. Traditional career
structures are fast disappearing and new areas of work are emerging.
Use the activities in this toolkit for inspiration as you work through
each step of your career planning. Career Development Toolkit for
Higher Education Professionals
Interactive Templates and Activities to
You can download more free ebooks, Toolkits and other useful Reinvigorate your Career
resources on the jobs.ac.uk Careers Advice section.

From teaching and research to managerial and administration,
instantly search 1000s of great jobs worldwide!
F antastic UK & international employers

universities, research institutes, colleges,
charities and commercial organisations
Get the latest jobs sent directly to you
Upload your CV and let employers find you
E xplore careers advice articles for CV help,
interview tips & more
Download our app to search for jobs on the go
Start your job search today at: www.jobs.ac.uk
Follow us on: Download our mobile app:

Interactive CPD Toolkit PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Interactive CPD Toolkit PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Interactive CPD Toolkit PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Interactive CPD Toolkit

A Step-by-Step Guide to Progress your Career and Record your

Getting Started The CPD Toolkit Additional information

Introduction to CPD Section 1 All forms in this Toolkit

2 Reflecting Why do it?

How to use this Toolkit

The forms in this Toolkit

Where am I now? Learning logs

Where Am I now? Formal Learning Log Informal Learning Log

Experiencing it Experiencing it Theorising about it Applying it

Goals, objectives and action plans Achievements

Who else will benefit?

What would you like to be doing, professionally, in 3 years time?

When will you achieve it by?

Three strong areas what are you best at?

Three weaker areas what would you like to be better at?

The form is divided into five columns: Examples include:

Where am I now? [Form 1 of 3]

Position held Date

Back to notes Duplicate form To next section

Where am I now? [Form 2 of 3]

Position held Date

Back to notes Duplicate form To next section

Where am I now? [Form 3 of 3]

Position held Date

Back to notes To next section

Goals, objectives and action plans Part 1

Statement of intent Complete the form

Statement of Intent Long-term overall goals

What would you like to be doing, professionally, in 10 years time?

What would you like to be doing, professionally, in 5 years time?

What would you like to be doing, professionally, in 3 years time?

Three strong areas what are you best at?

Three weaker areas what would you like to be better at?

Three areas you would like to develop further

Back to notes To next form

Goals, objectives and action plans Part 2

Statement of intent Complete the form

Objective and Action Plan [Form 1 of 3]

Who else will benefit?

When will you achieve it by?

Part 2: Action Plan

Resources (that you will need to be able to achieve it)

Back to notes Duplicate form To next section

Objective and Action Plan [Form 2 of 3]

Who else will benefit?

When will you achieve it by?

Part 2: Action Plan

Resources (that you will need to be able to achieve it)

Back to notes Duplicate form To next section

Objective and Action Plan [Form 3 of 3]

Who else will benefit?

When will you achieve it by?

Part 2: Action Plan

Resources (that you will need to be able to achieve it)

Back to notes To next section

Learning logs Part 1

There are two forms in this section, both of which

How to use the Formal Learning Log

F antastic UK & international employers