Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme: A consultation

Section 6: Support to assist users of the CPD system

This section of the consultation is about support to assist users of the CPD system. This includes guidance.

Provision of guidance

CPD systems typically provide support for their users. This helps them to understand what CPD is, requirements, how to approach CPD, and where to find CPD activities.

Some provide case studies that show how individuals have approached and undertaken their CPD.

Guidance is an important part of the CPD system. We would want to make sure that it is available in a range of formats that could help make CPD accessible, achievable, and beneficial.

These formats could include printed, downloadable documents, and videos. There are also technological developments that can provide pop up and navigation guidance.

Question 36: What formats of guidance will help make the CPD system more accessible and user-friendly?

Please provide an answer and give reasons for it.

Help to identify CPD

It is important that individuals can identify what CPD to undertake.

Mention has already been made of guidance in a range of ways and formats.

Another way is through a Personal Learning Plan (PLP), a skills planning tool. This helps a person outline what they need to do to gain the skills and knowledge they want. It also shows when they will do these activities and how they will measure their success.

The PLP is a widely used way to help structure CPD and the activities to be undertaken to contribute to it. Some schemes require a PLP to access formal support for CPD. Other schemes use different tools.

Question 37: Do you agree or disagree that individuals should have to complete a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)? Agree / Disagree / Don’t know

Question 38: Do you agree or disagree that the completion of a PLP could be used as a requirement to attend some CPD activities or apply for specific support? Agree / Disagree / Don’t know

Question 39: Do you have any further comments on support for users of the CPD system?

Please state your answer.