Continued professional development (CPD) is a mandatory requirement for 50% of institutions quizzed in the second survey looking at CPD activity by Echelon Learning Ltd.

The findings show no marked changes from when the same sentiments were tested in 2004. However, the report shows that of those that don’t make it a compulsory requirement many plan to do so within the next five years.

Other key findings include:

• Compared to 2004 there is less emphasis on measuring CPD in relation to hours or points acquired.


• Where hours of CPD activity undertaken are measured, about two-thirds of such institutions require between 20 and 40 hours of activity per year with one-third requiring more.


• Two-thirds of respondents said that an individual’s membership could ultimately be suspended or withdrawn if CPD requirements were persistently not complied with.


• Almost all respondents regard learning to enhance professional and technical skills as a part of CPD. However, at least 75% of those surveyed also saw developing management, business and personal skills as important.


• Institutions see career advancement and promotion as the greatest benefit of CPD, with over 50% also seeing improved performance in the current job as an important benefit.


• Almost 90% of those surveyed offered members a means of recording their CPD activity. This was the most universal means of support.


• Almost 75% of responding institutions do accredit learning for their students.

The results are based on the feedback of around 50 institutions.