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Continuing Professional Development

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the term for a framework of learning and development activities, which are seen as contributing to one's continued effectiveness as a professional. Another associated term is 'lifelong learning', although CPD has become the most commonly used term. This is because it comprises more than just learning activities, which are largely associated with taking courses and passively receiving information. CPD takes place in a number of contexts and through various activities. It does not simply involve taking a refresher course or two, but taking part in less structured, more job-specific activities such as on-the-job learning or mentoring.

Continuity is very important when it comes to CPD. Learning does not stop with the completion of a formal qualification as, due to the rapid advances and changes in technology and industry, they quickly become out-of-date. Hence the demand for means of ensuring that professionals are maintaining their competence by keeping up-to-date, from which CPD was born.

As a member of the Institute of Hospitality your professional development needs will be supported throughout your career by the Association through the encouragement of lifelong learning with CPD.

The Institute of Hospitality has developed a unique CPD programme designed to assist you to integrate CPD into your working life. The Extended CV is the result of member focused research and is a living document and a membership progression tool which also acts as a database of learning and achievement. All of the CPD activities in which you engage, such as attending seminars and workshops, in-house training programmes and mentoring among many others, can be recorded on the Extended CV.

For further information on CPD see http://www.hcima.co.uk/content/education/documents/education_cpdonline.html

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