What is CPD?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the term used to describe a commitment to lifelong learning, continuously acquiring new skills, enhancing existing knowledge, and staying at the forefront of industry practices.

CPD takes on three distinct forms.


Learning determined by the organisation you work for


This is known as Organisational CPD, and is curated by your institution to support your understanding of corporate messages and expectations. Some of this might be due to the rules of your organisation, some of it is due to government requirements, like ensuring compliance with crucial topics such as safeguarding.
Examples of Organisational CPD are mandatory staff training, assessment and enrolment.

 

Learning that is needed to keep your existing skills up to date


This type of CPD is focussed on continuing to learn and keeping the professional skills required as part of your role up to date. As dual professionals, you are not only educators but also expert technicians, so it’s vitally important to keep developing your skills. 


From April 2024, all teaching staff within FE will be required to hold a minimum of a Level 5 teaching qualification. Your organisation can help you with this through funding support from the Welsh Government. 
Find out more about what qualifications are available to you.

 

Learning determined by you, for your own development. 


CPD also encompasses self-directed learning for your professional and personal growth. This form of CPD, which you choose and tailor to your needs, often proves to be the most effective and fulfilling, as you can direct your learning to match your aspirations and interests.
Before you embark on self-directed learning CPD, it’s important to engage in self-reflection; to think about your knowledge gaps and where you want to take your professional practice, and to refer to the professional standards as your guidance.
 

The Professional Learning Passport

The Professional Learning Passport (PLP) is a flexible online tool, available to all EWC registrants, that is packed with features that are designed to support you to capture, reflect upon, share, and plan your learning with the ultimate aim of improving your practice.


It also provides you with free access to EBSCO, the world’s largest full-text research database for education professionals covering all levels of education and specialities.


Read more about how you can use the Professional Learning Passport to enhance your practice.
 

Action Research 

Action research is a useful tool that allows you to investigate your own practice, unravel insights, and implement improvements that drive positive change in your practice, your learning environment, and your organisation.

Click here to learn about becoming an Action researcher 

 

CPD is not just a buzzword; it's a lifelong commitment to enhancing your skills and knowledge throughout your career journey. Learning doesn't halt when you secure a job—it is merely the beginning of a new chapter of your development! 

 

Explore our range of learning opportunities to support your CPD 

Technical Teaching Fellowship 

 

The Technical Teaching Fellowship Program celebrates, develops and shares exceptional practice in technical teaching, empowering the next generation's industrial and technical expertise.

Learn more here 

 

The Professional Learning Fund

 

The Professional Learning Fund supports further education colleges in developing their professional learning tools and practices.

There are three distinct funding categories—national, institutional and collaborative.

1. National 

This funding category supports the development of all-Wales professional learning initiatives, supporting a collective journey towards excellence in education. 

 

2. Institutional 

Tailored to the needs of each institution, this category empowers colleges to target individual or collective areas of need to support their educators in their development.

This funding can be used to

  • Undertake accredited teaching qualifications
  • Undertake specific modules or units of training to enhance teaching skills (e.g. MA modules)
  • Update and enhance staff’s industrial/vocational skills
  • Purchase bespoke training, including the costs of external trainers or facilitators
  • Purchase or develop e-learning packages
  • Meet the costs of backfill for staff who are undertaking professional learning
  • Undertake Action research

 

3. Collaborative 

This category allows colleges to collaborate with fellow institutions to develop sustainable and strategic approaches to professional learning, creating a sector-wide impact. 

More information on this exciting opportunity will be available soon.

The Knowledge Transfer Programme

The Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) supports colleges and independent training providers in Wales to tap into expertise from across the sector, enriching staff and enhancing the learner experience.

The KTP focuses on delivering fresh content and concepts beyond the confines of the existing curriculum. As part of the programme you can seek expertise and insights from within industry, employment or Higher Education.  

By participating in the KTP, you'll stay at the forefront of new technology, techniques, and advances in the profession through knowledge sharing with a range of experts and peers.

 

How to Get involved

Each year, the Welsh Government issues guidance to colleges on the priorities for the programme.  

This year, priorities are focused on:

  • digital skills
  • net-zero skills
  • retrofit construction
  • creative
  • engineering
  • advanced manufacturing

 

However the programme welcomes input from providers who have other prioritise and focus areas. 

Collaborating with other institutions and independent training providers for proposals is encouraged, as the KPT seeks to engage the whole post-16 sector in fostering a collective commitment to excellence.

More information on the opportunities within the KPT will be available soon.

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