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Latest research reveals sustained growth in the use of continuous professional development (CPD) by UK professional bodies.
The second annual CPD survey by e-publisher Echelon Publishing focused on the current provision of CPD by professional bodies, their future needs, and whether and how they will want to publish, distribute and track CPD in the future.
The survey found that:
CPD is mandatory for approximately 50 per cent of responding institutions.
Within the other 50 per cent, there is a trend to make CPD mandatory, with a slight majority of institutions expecting it to become so in the next five years.
Almost 90 per cent of respondents expected the requirements placed on members to fulfil CPD obligations would grow.
Compared to 2004's survey, less emphasis shown on assessment methods that concentrate on the number of hours completed or points acquired, reflecting a shift from measuring inputs towards an emphasis on outcomes.
Almost 90 per cent of those surveyed offered members a means of recording their CPD activity. However, when asked if this included an on-line system for keeping CPD records this percentage fell to less than one third. This does not show any significant change from the 2004 results.
Commenting on the survey findings, Echelon_s David Hill said, "Comparing year on year results reflects the growing importance attached by professional bodies to maintaining the professional standards of their members.
"It is unlikely to be long before customers demand that professional advice is given only by those who have kept their knowledge and skills up to date."
Echelon manages the development and integration of student and members' learning on behalf of organisations including the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, the Institute of Civil Engineers and the Royal Town Planning Institute.
The Echelon CPD Survey is based on a questionnaire emailed to 220 officers of professional bodies during January 2006, as a part of a series of learning surveys conducted by the company.