Continuing Development Helps.
Updated: Aug 7, 2019
It can be the first step towards achieving chartered status, which will see you registered as a member of the professional body and a recognized professional in your area of work. It will help you to meet your employer's expectations of continuing professional development (CPD).
By keeping your skills and abilities up to date. Many professions require you to possess specific qualifications, meaning that if you're serious about forging a career in one of these areas you will have to take the course.
Recent research for the Consultative Committee for Professional Management Organisations (CCPMO) showed that, on average, having a professional qualification increases lifetime earnings by over £81,000.
You will gain skills, recognition and contacts through improving your specialist knowledge - demonstrating your ability to employers, and giving you greater opportunity to progress or change careers.
How do I find the right professional course for me?
It's important to research your options carefully to ensure that taking a professional course is right for you. If you decide to go ahead, remember that that the length, cost, quality and content of courses can vary significantly - so you will need to carefully assess which one will benefit you the most. For further advice you can ask:
Current or former students - if you know somebody who has studied for a professional qualification, they can give you an unbiased view of a course or training provider. Professional bodies - they'll be able to give you all the practical information you need about what's involved in gaining their qualifications. Prospective tutors - those who teach professional courses can give you a clear idea of what it takes to succeed.
Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) - the trade association for professional awarding organizations offers a wealth of information and contacts. Your employer - your line manager or human resources (HR) manager- is well placed to advise on which professional qualifications you can pursue to further your career.
In making your decision, you will need to consider things like:
fees and the availability of funding how reputable the training provider and its tutor's student satisfaction and employment rates the content of the course the impact on your employment prospects whether the timetable fits with your other commitments.