The role and importance of CPD

Continual Professional Development (CPD) is a prerequisite of Chartered bodies to ensure that professionals stay current with industry trends, enhance their skills and adapt to evolving technologies and best practices.

I regularly scour publications and LinkedIn articles to keep myself abreast with moves in industry relating to marketing and PR as have to undertake and fulfil requirements for both the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and CIM | The Chartered Institute of Marketing.

I genuinely value CPD as it ensures ongoing competence, career advancement, and provides opportunities for personal growth, innovation and continued learning as well as on occasions fostering networking and collaboration with professional communities. That said, there are occasions when chasing a deadline can also be a headache, and most professionals will have experienced that from time to time.

Each body has its own reporting and measurement criteria which is understandable. What confuses me therefore is when sometimes I read an article that claims to offer CPD points but doesn't clarify what points and for what body. As such, unless I / you opt to include this as a bespoke piece of CPD I all too often just tick it off as unsubstantiated continual learning. - There is nothing wrong with that, but what mystery point system do people refer to?

The easiest and safest way to quantify learning and to lodge points is through courses and / or articles or podcasts offered by the body in question, but there have also been times when I have gone through the tick box exercise just to get across the line, and that doesn't seem right.

Some employers (I've never had one) offer employees paid time to complete CPD, but for the majority it is something you have to fit into your own time. - You keep your letters, and the firm wins regardless.

Thoughts?