Game-Changer IO2 In-service Training Programme

Engaging with professional networks is valuable as it involves interacting with other people working in similar roles and enables you to gain new ideas and share solutions to challenges in your industry. Sharing with, and learning from others can contribute a great deal to your CPD and offer new insights into how you can improve your competences. Conferences – Attending organised conferences is a great way to keep up-to-date with the latest innovations and trends within a particular industry. They are often free to attend but some may require an invitation or entry fee. Many higher education institutions and other organisations arrange conferences that are open to those working in the relevant industry and are another great way to meet useful contacts and increase your professional network. Job Shadowing – Shadowing a colleague can be a good learning experience and can offer new insights into a typical working day for another person in a similar (or completely different) role. Job shadowing is similar to a study visit and can last for one day or longer. It can enable you to observe new working practices and understand the practical implications of increasing certain competences. Job Shadowing can also be used as a form of coaching or mentoring whereby you are supported to increase your competences by a more experienced individual. Let us now spend some time focussing on your CPD. The following activities are aimed at supporting you to reflect on your personal and professional abilities and put in place an action plan to address any of your CPD needs. These activities can also be completed with your learners in order to encourage them to activity seek personal or professional development opportunities. Activities to Support Your CPD Journey Activity 1: What Do I Value? The following activity is aimed at helping you to identify your values and aspirations. It is an activity to be completed individually and requires you to be completely open and honest with yourself in order to help you identify your values, motivations and aspirations. Take some time to think in depth about yourself and complete table 8.1 below. After completing the table review your answers and use this as a guide to help you identify what you truly value and what you aspire to achieve in your professional life.