What is CPD?

Whether you're clear on your career path or still exploring, discover how CPD can unlock your potential and set you apart in today鈥檚 competitive job market听

CPD stands for continuing professional development and refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge, and experience that you gain both formally and informally as you work.听听

Common CPD training activities include:听

肠辞苍蹿别谤别苍肠别蝉听
independent study听
尘别苍迟辞谤颈苍驳听
online courses听
蝉别尘颈苍补谤蝉听
飞辞谤办蝉丑辞辫蝉.听

Why is CPD important?

Graduates often enter the workforce equipped with theoretical knowledge, but real-world workplaces require practical, up-to-date skills. CPD helps to bridge that gap.听听

Here's why it鈥檚 crucial for new professionals:听

boosts adaptability - provides transferable skills that apply across industries.听
builds confidence - gaining skills increases workplace performance and self-assurance.听
improves employability - shows initiative and commitment to personal growth.听
keeps you up-to-date - helps you stay current with the latest tools and best practices.听
supports career progression - opens doors to promotions, new roles, and leadership paths.听

Even if your career path isn't entirely clear yet, CPD equips you with valuable transferable skills that apply to a range of jobs, future-proofing your skillset and making you a more adaptable professional.

Discover what skills employers are looking for.

What CPD opportunities are available for graduates?

Formal learning

Graduation is just the first step - ongoing learning is crucial as you enter the workforce.听

Formal learning opportunities in the workplace include:听

Postgraduate degrees (Masters or PhD) - these programmes allow you to deepen your expertise within a specific field and open doors to research-oriented careers.听听
Microcredentials - these are short, flexible courses, often completed within 12 weeks, designed to help you acquire niche industry skills.听
Industry-recognised certifications - obtaining these certifications can significantly enhance your CV and demonstrate that you possess job-ready competencies valued by employers.听

Search for postgraduate courses.

Several industry organisations encourage students to begin their CPD journey even before graduation. For instance, the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) advocates for future healthcare professionals to engage in CPD courses during their studies, providing them with fundamental knowledge crucial for success in their chosen field.听

For more information on CPD with professional bodies, see鈥�professional qualifications.听

Other in-demand industry qualifications include:听

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)听
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)听
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)听
Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)听
Professional in Human Resources (PHR).

Remember, maintaining a record of your training is essential. It serves as tangible proof of your ongoing development and provides a valuable tool for self-reflection.听

Personal development

For those seeking a diverse skillset and to maximise their employability across industries, earning a more general CPD certification sets you apart from the competition.听

These include courses applicable to various careers, such as:听

equality and diversity training - increasingly crucial for promoting positive workplace cultures and demonstrating a commitment to fairness and respect across all interactions.听
first aid and CPR qualifications - are often valued across various sectors, particularly those involving public interaction or workplace safety.听
language lessons - opens doors to international opportunities and demonstrates adaptability and cultural awareness.听
leadership development - these skills are valuable at all career stages, whether you are leading a team or contributing to collaborative projects.听

Workplaces often recognise the value of these qualifications for their employees and often provide funding to access these opportunities. If your workplace doesn't explicitly offer the CPD you're looking for, government agencies or local authorities may offer funding.听

You can search for these courses at Free Courses in England.听

Self-directed learning

Online platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning provide a library of CPD-verified courses across various subjects.听

Many of these courses are endorsed by universities, adding weight to your credentials. Earning a certificate from an accredited programme demonstrates your commitment to high-quality learning that meets industry standards.听听

Examples of accredited courses include:听

Cyber Security Awareness鈥�- iHasco听
Employment Law鈥�- CPD Online College听
Leadership and Management鈥�- National Training Academy听
Sustainable Business Foundations鈥�- University of Cambridge听
Understanding Journalism Ethics鈥�- University of Derby听

Keep an eye out for the鈥�CPD Certification Service鈥痩ogo on the course website and marketing materials to ensure its validity.

Webinars

Consider attending industry webinars hosted by leading professionals, providing insights into current trends and best practices.听

Many professional organisations understand this need and offer CPD webinars specifically for their members, often at no additional cost. These webinars address topics directly relevant to your profession, ensuring you stay up-to-date and informed.听

Examples include:听

Mentorship

Building a successful career takes guidance and support. A mentor or coach can provide just that, offering unique opportunities for personalised advice. By fostering a close relationship, you can gain the insights you need to establish and pursue your career goals. A mentor or coach can help you navigate challenges, develop critical skills, and ultimately achieve professional success.听

Start by checking with your employer or professional institute. Many organisations offer mentorship programmes, connecting you with experienced individuals in your field.听

Graduate Mentor鈥痠s a great example. This programme pairs you with a volunteer mentor and provides easy communication tools - messaging, video calls, and even secure file sharing for your CV. These features make finding the perfect mentor to guide you a smooth and efficient process.听

Read our guidance on finding the right mentor.听

Conferences and networking events

Attending these events puts you at the forefront of your profession. By showcasing the latest advancements and providing the perfect environment for networking, they allow you to connect with industry leaders, while encouraging the exchange of ideas with colleagues.听

How to find events:听

Websites like鈥�CPD UK鈥痮谤鈥�Eventbrite鈥痩et you filter CPD events by industry, location, and date.听听
Social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram are also valuable tools, allowing you to follow industry influencers and organisations that announce and promote relevant CPD opportunities.听
Check the websites of training providers or event organisers in your field. They typically maintain a calendar of upcoming CPD events.

Volunteering

Offering your time to charity organisations or community projects is a fantastic way to solidify your CPD.听

Not only will you gain practical experience by applying your knowledge in real-world settings, but you'll also build a valuable network of contacts within your industry or area of interest. This combination of practical experience and professional connections can be a major boost to your career development.听

For more information on finding opportunities, see volunteering.

Can I include CPD on my CV?

Including professional development in job applications shows you're serious about developing your skills beyond your formal education and can be especially useful for graduates or career changers who may not have a lot of work experience yet.听

Depending on the format of your CV, you could include CPD:听

Under a 鈥榩rofessional development鈥� or 鈥榯raining鈥� section - especially helpful if you鈥檝e done multiple courses or activities.听
As part of your education or skills section - if it's closely tied to your academic background or adds to a specific skill set.听
Mention it briefly in your personal statement - if it's central to your professional mindset or career goals.听

See our example CVs examples for further guidance.听

How do I find the right CPD opportunities for me?

CPD is an investment in yourself. Consider any gaps in your knowledge or skills you can fill to help with your career development. This will ensure that you build upon the foundation of your existing abilities in the industry you intend to work within.听

Talk to your employer鈥�- many companies offer or encourage CPD opportunities for their employees.听
Research industry associations鈥�- look for organisations relevant to your field and explore their professional development resources.听
Network with professionals鈥�- connect with mentors, colleagues, or alumni who can share their experiences and recommendations.

Find out more

Explore 7 ways to improve graduate employability.
Discover how to use social media to job hunt.

CPD opportunities for graduates