Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme
Section 6: Support to assist users of CPD system
This section of the consultation is about support to assist users of the CPD system. This includes guidance.
Provision of guidance
CPD systems typically provide support for their users. This helps them to understand what CPD is, requirements, how to approach CPD, and where to find CPD activities.
Some provide case studies that show how individuals have approached and undertaken their CPD.
Guidance is an important part of the CPD system. We would want to make sure that it is available in a range of formats that could help make CPD accessible, achievable, and beneficial.
These formats could include printed, downloadable documents, and videos. There are also technological developments that can provide pop up and navigation guidance.
Help to identify CPD
It is important that individuals can identify what CPD to undertake.
Mention has already been made of guidance in a range of ways and formats.
Another way is through a Personal Learning Plan (PLP), a skills planning tool. This helps a person outline what they need to do to gain the skills and knowledge they want. It also shows when they will do these activities and how they will measure their success.
The PLP is a widely used way to help structure CPD and the activities to be undertaken to contribute to it. Some schemes require a PLP to access formal support for CPD. Other schemes use different tools.