CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. This term is used for describing various learning activities in which the professionals engage for developing and enhancing their capabilities and skills. It makes learning conscious and proactive.

Many different techniques and methodologies can form the part of CPD learning such as taking aesthetic courses, attending training workshops, live events, conferences, e-learning courses, reading latest researches, sharing ideas, learning best techniques for improving practice, etc. It basically encompasses all the activities which you perform to enhance your learning and professional development to stay updated with the current knowledge and practices.

The primary purpose of CPD is to ensure that aesthetic practitioners stay updated both academically and practically so that their qualifications and skills do not become obsolete. With CPD, the aesthetic practitioners upgrade their knowledge and skills continuously, regardless of their age and level of education.

There are three primary types of CPD learning which varies depending on your individual learning requirements.

• Active or structured learning, which involves interactive and proactive learning activities such as taking aesthetic courses, attending training workshops, etc.
• Reflective or passive learning which does not involve direct participation or interaction based learning. It is more focused and passive such as reading news updates, case studies, listening to podcasts, etc.
• Self-directed or unstructured learning is based on unaccompanied learning activities such as reading research publications, books, industry-relevant journals, etc.

Accredited training of CPD means that your learning activities have reached the standards or benchmarks of CPD as set by your governing body or employer. It means that your value of learning has been carefully reviewed to ensure that it meets the high standards of quality and integrity.

When you engage in CPD activities in the field of aesthetics, it ensures that your academic, as well as practical qualifications, stay updated. It allows you to enhance your skills and learning continuously. For instance, the techniques of injecting Botox and dermal fillers keep in evolving, which means you need CPD courses to upscale your skills.

You are required to keep a record of your CPD aesthetics activities, including both educational and practical on CPD record form. You should also ensure that you fill it accurately, keep it up to date, and fulfils the requirements of a relevant professional association. You record the of CPD activities in terms of outcomes of your learning and the practical implication of the learned knowledge.

You are responsible for ensuring that your aesthetics CPD activities fulfil and comply with the requirements of your relevant professional association as well as your professional role.

The CPD activities which you undertake are recorded on the CPD self-assessment forms, CPD certificate of attendance and individual CPD Record cards. Once you have completed certified CPD activity, you can update your CPD Record sheet along with the attachment of associated certification.

It is essential for you to keep your record of CPD up-to-date because you are often required to provide the CPD activities evidence to your professional governing body or employer, for instance as part of your revalidation process.

• CPD enables you to focus on how you can become more productive and improve your professional skills in the field of aesthetics.
• Learning and practical training enhance your self-confidence as well as your overall capabilities. It also helps to boost your professional career.
• When your organisation or practice encourages you to get involved in CPD activities, it is actually helping in developing a healthy environment for learning and professional skills enhancement. This leads to improved capabilities and skills.

Majority of professional governing bodies and institutes provide individual targets for CPD. You usually need to provide the requested CPD in the form credit hours, units or points.

How can I know that a particular CPD activity is worth how many points/credits?

When you take the CPD activities or courses, the CPD provider guides you as to how many hours/credits/points you can earn by completing a particular CPD activity or certification. The accredited points for each activity or course you undertake are recorded on each page of the course.

When you want to advance your career and want to take CPD activities for that purpose, there are several factors that you should take into consideration.

• You should ensure that you are taking the right kind of CPD activity or course, which is in alignment with your professional goals. This helps to minimize the disadvantages if any.
• You need to find a CPD course or activity which fits into your busy schedule, budget, and commitments.
• You also need to consider the type of learning you prefer to undertake. Do you learn better with others? Then workshops or on-venue courses are a better choice. If you prefer to study alone according to your own pace, then it is better to choose e-learning or online courses.

To have more information regarding our CPD courses, you can get in touch with our support team.