What is CPD?

'Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill, and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout one's working life'.

Once trained and qualified in any profession it used to be possible to sit back and just work away at any encountered problem.

But GI, in particular, is constantly changing. You need to keep abreast of these changes and expand your knowledge to maintain professional status, both in the eyes of the public and your colleagues. Rapid developments in technology, increased competition, and the opening of new markets for GI skills have placed even greater emphasis on the need to be well informed and professionally competent. CPD must not only address current needs but also look to aid in any future roles you may be asked to undertake. You must take responsibility for the continuing assessment satisfaction of your own professional needs, making use of available help and resources at your disposal. Increasingly employers now expect employees to take professional development seriously and taking on this responsibility can create a valuable professional differentiator between you and your peers who are not pursuing CPD. 

CPD points are collected by engaging in a huge range of activities both within and without your organisation throughout the year. Be assured that CPD points are not just allocated to events and training courses. Nor are they purely given for activity outside your place of work. Professional development 'on the job' carries significant importance. Building a CPD record can be a flexible and rewarding activity that is shaped around you and your own needs. Furthermore many third party events and activities are already registered for AGI CPD points making it easy to quantify and record the right number of CPD points in your personal records.

What's more, AGI is here to help. We can advise YOU on what activities and training in qualify for CPD points and in what amount. Plus for those seeking a structured and certified approach we offer our own official AGI CPD scheme!  

The AGI CPD scheme offers a way of recording your attendance at training courses, your maintaining of knowledge and your awareness of on-going technology.   At the end of each year, you will receive an official AGI certificate confirming your CPD record for that year.   And now for no charge to AGI members.   For further details, click the link on the left-hand menu.