Continued Professional Development (CPD) for HSE Staff

Some professions require their staff to achieve a certain amount of hours of focused CPD. Whether this is to maintain a registration or an internal requirement I can only see benefits as long as they remain reasonable. Why would this not benefit HSE Professionals?

Our role can vary immensely. Keeping abreast of changes whether legislatively or ‘in house’ (processes / procedures etc) requires time and effort, often your own time. Skill fade is a term many other career paths recognize. They initiate control measure to avoid this. Why not ours apart from those with certification such as CRSP?

When I complete annual appraisals it always impresses me when one of my team tells me he is completing specific training or courses in order to improve their general knowledge or education. I realize some will do this as a career advancement option, and then some are happy where they are, with a genuine desire to be better. Whichever they are it gives me the opportunity to write positive comments on appraisals or interview notes. It also allows me to discreetly challenge other members of my staff to improve.

As a Senior Leader who regularly conducts recruiting interviews, again it always impresses me when a potential new employee can articulate the CPD he undertakes, and does not solely rely on his / her formal education or experience.

CPD does not necessarily have to cost. There are lots of free training courses in cyber space. The big question is which are good and which to avoid? Another form of CPD could be your own organizations internal training. If it is relevant and quality checked then why not?

My recommendation is to log your CPD. If you are being interviewed or appraised then use any opportunity to show it off. Logging your training does not have to be difficult. A simple spreadsheet or notebook entry with attendance details and any proof of attendance will suffice. Some sites actually give certificates for small fees or at least email to confirm your attandance. Always remember to keep records of any developmental or updating training you have completed with your organization. If it is relevant then log it

I use a few free websites. I also keep an eye on LinkedIn groups where I have gleaned some useful links.