continuous professional development (CDP) (1)

PROGRAM TITLE: BTEC in Computing (Software Engineering)
UNIT TITLE: Professional Practice
ASSIGNMENT NUMBER: 2
ASSIGNMENT NAME: Continuous Professional Development (CDP)
SUBMISSION DATE: 14/05/2022
DATE RECEIVED: 14/05/2022
TUTORIAL LECTURER: LƯU THỊ HƯƠNG GIANG
WORD COUNT: 4500 words

STUDENT NAME: LƯƠNG VĂN DUY
STUDENT ID: BKC12178
MOBILE NUMBER: 0386987693


Summative Feedback:

Internal verification:


Higher Nationals
Assignment Brief – BTEC (RFQ)

Higher National Diploma in Computing

Student Name /ID Number
Unit Number and Title

3: Professional Practice

Academic Year
Unit Tutor

Assignment Title

Continuous Professional Development (CDP)

Issue Date
Submission Date
IV Name
Date

Submission Format:
Part 1: The submission is in the form of an individual development plan. This should be written in a
concise, formal business style using single spacing and font size 12. You are required to make use of
headings, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate. The recommended word limit is 250–500 words,
although you will not be penalized for exceeding the total word limit
Part 2: The submission is in the form of a 5–7 minute Microsoft® PowerPoint® style presentation to
be presented to your colleagues. The presentation can include links to data with additional speaker
notes and a bibliography using the Harvard referencing system. The presentation slides for the findings
should be submitted with speaker notes.

Part 3: The submission is in the form of an individual written report. This should be written in a
concise, formal business style using single spacing and font size 12. You are required to make use of
headings, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with research
and referenced using the Harvard referencing system. Please also provide a bibliography using the
Harvard referencing system. The recommended word limit is 1,000–1,500 words, although you will
not be penalized for exceeding the total word limit.

Unit Learning Outcomes:
LO4 Examine the need for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and its role within the
workplace and for higher-level learning

Assignment Brief and Guidance:
You continue to work for a software training company that produces courses and topic presentations
for established companies and, importantly, for new start-ups. You have planned a professional
development event targeted at internal employees and you are now tasked with delivering one of the
breakout events
Design One of your two-hour workshops is based on ‘team dynamics’ and you are required to create
a presentation as part of this session. The presentation must allow delegates to take part in some of
the planned activities and therefore interactive you need to provide links to suitable sites and an
activity sheet to delegates so that they can make choices on team-building tasks they could complete
and which would be of most benefit to them
Having completed the Training Event Management project, you now need to reflect on your
experience and consider your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) needs.

Part 1
Consider your personal and/or career goals and identify your CPD needs and what actions would put
you in a position to achieve these goals. Produce a development plan outlining your future goals and
identifying how these can be realized.
Part 2
Conduct some research into motivational theories and how they can be used to improve employee
performance. Compare several theories and present your findings to your peers.
Part 3
Write a report on the usage of CPD within organizations and what evidence would be required to
measure how effective this CPD is in helping employees achieve their goals while using their time
and resources effectively


Table of contents
Part 1...................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 What is CPD? .................................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Importance of CPD ......................................................................................................... 2
1.3 The benefits of professional development ....................................................................... 3
1.4 Produce a development plan that outlines responsibilities, performance objectives, and
required skills, knowledge, and learning for own future goals ............................................. 5
1.4.1 Short-term goal .......................................................................................................... 5
1.4.2 Skills to develop with set goals ................................................................................. 6
1.4.3 Strengths and Weaknesses ......................................................................................... 6
1.4.4 Developing strengths ................................................................................................. 7
1.4.5 Weakness improvement ............................................................................................ 8
1.4.6 The need for self-development .................................................................................. 10
1.4.7 Development plan ..................................................................................................... 12
Part 2 ..................................................................................................................................... 13
Part 3 ..................................................................................................................................... 17

1


Mission
You continue to work for a software training company that produces courses and topic
presentations for established companies and, importantly, for new start-ups. You have planned
a professional development event targeted at internal employees and you are now tasked with
delivering one of the breakout events
Design One of your two-hour workshops is based on ‘team dynamics’ and you are required to
create a presentation as part of this session. The presentation must allow delegates to take part
in some of the planned activities and therefore interactive you need to provide links to suitable
sites and an activity sheet to delegates so that they can make choices on team-building tasks
they could complete and which would be of most benefit to them
Having completed the Training Event Management project, you now need to reflect on your
experience and consider your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) needs.
You continue to work for a software training company that produces courses and topic

presentations for established companies and, importantly, for new start-ups. You have planned
a professional development event targeted at internal employees and you are now tasked with
delivering one of the breakout events
Design One of your two-hour workshops is based on ‘team dynamics’ and you are required to
create a presentation as part of this session. The presentation must allow delegates to take part
in some of the planned activities and therefore interactive you need to provide links to suitable
sites and an activity sheet to delegates so that they can make choices on team-building tasks
they could complete and which would be of most benefit to them
Having completed the Training Event Management project, you now need to reflect on your
experience and consider your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) needs.
1. Consider your personal and/or career goals and identify your CPD needs and what actions
would put you in a position to achieve these goals. Produce a development plan outlining
your future goals and identifying how these can be realized.
1.1 What is CPD?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the process of developing professional
skills and knowledge through interactive, participation-based, or independent learning. It
enables learners to develop their professional capabilities proactively through certified
learning or self-guided learning methods.
2


It involves setting objectives for short and long-term progression with a structured and
goal-specific plan. People engaging in CPD need to keep records of any knowledge attained
and progress made to reflect on their learning and for showcasing skills, and sometimes as
evidence of having undertaken CPD.
Development should build on technical and non-technical skills, so learners gain the
expertise and understanding required to approach professional situations from various
angles.
By engaging in CPD, you’ll ensure that neither your academic nor your practical
qualifications will become obsolete. CPD offers you the opportunity for upskilling,

regardless of where you are in your career, age, or even level of education.
1.2 Importance of CPD
Well-crafted and delivered continuing professional development is important because
it delivers benefits to the individual, their profession, and the public.
•

CPD ensures your capabilities keep pace with the current standards of others in the
same field.

•

CPD ensures that you maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills you need to
deliver a professional service to your customers, clients, and the community.

•

CPD ensures that you and your knowledge stay relevant and up to date. You are
more aware of the changing trends and directions in your profession. The pace of
change is probably faster than it’s ever been – and this is a feature of the new normal
that we live and work in. If you stand still you will get left behind, as the currency
of your knowledge and skills becomes outdated.

•

CPD helps you continue to make a meaningful contribution to your team. You
become more effective in the workplace. This assists you to advance in your career
and move into new positions where you can lead, manage, influence, coach, and
mentor others.

•

CPD helps you to stay interested and interesting. Experience is a great teacher, but
it does mean that we tend to do what we have done before. Focused CPD opens
you to new possibilities, knowledge, and skill areas.

•

CPD can deliver a deeper understanding of what it means to be a professional and
a greater appreciation of the implications and impacts of your work.

•

CPD helps advance the body of knowledge and technology within your profession.
3


•

CPD can lead to increased public confidence in individual professionals and their
profession as a whole.

•

Depending on the profession – CPD contributes to improved protection and quality
of life, the environment, sustainability, property, and the economy.

This

particularly applies to high-risk areas, or specialized practice areas which often
prove impractical to monitor on a case-by-case basis.

1.3 The benefits of professional development
With employers facing huge losses due to skills gaps, you can quickly and easily build
the skill sets required by your organization by engaging in professional development. And
by continuing your professional development, you continue to learn and develop, keeping
your skills and knowledge up to date.
Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits that professional development can give you.
❖ Benefits of CPD for individuals
•

Stay up to date with changing trends
The world of work is constantly changing. Especially with the emergence of the
covid pandemic, working from home has become the norm, and different software
and technologies have had to adapt to accommodate this unprecedented change.
Keeping up with the trends has never been more important, and if you don't, your
skills could become obsolete.

•

Become more effective in the workplace
Owing to your increased knowledge, you can become much more effective in the
workplace, which will open doors to career progression. Plus, you can use your
increased knowledge to demonstrate your leadership skills by sharing your
knowledge with others.

•

Maintain and enhance your knowledge to supply a better service
Refreshing your knowledge and understanding of certain skill-specific topics can
make you stand out from the crowd, and can also help dust off any skills that you
may have let fall down by the wayside. As such, you’re well-placed to provide a

better service.

•

Advance the body of knowledge within your profession
By taking part in CPD, you can stay up to speed with all the different changes
involving technology and everything else in your industry. For instance, in the

4


healthcare profession, technology is continually being introduced, changed, and
created, to improve people’s health. Knowing these pieces of technology will keep
you and your employer a step ahead of the competition.
•

Increase interest in your profession
Everyone can end up jaded in their professions – but by engaging in CPD, you can
open yourself up to new skill areas and fresh knowledge, encouraging you to stay
engaged and interested in your role. This refreshed interest and intrigue regarding
your role will make you more effective and engaged, leading to higher productivity
and efficiency rates.

❖ Benefits of CPD for employers
•

Improve reputation and foster team spirit
Businesses can enhance their reputation and boost brand perception by providing
CPD for their employees. By empowering their staff through CPD provision,
employers promote a healthy learning culture, leading to a happier, more productive

workforce, while helping to retain valuable staff.

•

Save time and expenditure
In cases where staff with CPD obligations rely on a professional body, parent
organizations can use outsourced CPD providers if their internal resources are
limited.

1.4 Produce a development plan that outlines responsibilities, performance objectives,
and required skills, knowledge, and learning for own future goals.
1.4.1 Short-term goal
•

Short-term goal
-

Next month: My short-term goal shortly is to focus on studying, and
complete all the exercises so that I don't have to repeat any subjects.

-

I focus on deepening my knowledge of specialized subjects, each subject for
2 months

-

Next three months: After learning PHP, my goal is to do an internship at
Misa company with a job as a full-stack programmer, and at the same time
learn and practice to consolidate my knowledge and familiarize myself with

the working environment. later work.

-

After 5 months my goal is to complete my probationary period and start my
full stack developer job
5


•

Long-term goals
-

One-year goal: I will constantly study, cultivate professional knowledge to
strengthen my work, and right after that, finished my university studies

-

After 3 years, my goal is to become a senior in my field and strive to be a
project manager

-

After 5 years, with experience and accumulated capital, I want to have a
website specializing in providing websites, supporting, and consulting to
build websites for individuals and groups.

1.4.2 Skills to develop with set goals
•

Develop skills in building and perfecting a proficient website. Always learning and
absorbing new technologies, while firmly grasping and developing those that have
been continued

•

Develop communication skills, and how to deal with people. Expanding
relationships helps facilitate the development of work

•

Develop problem-solving, logical thinking, and management skills to be able to
manage and build your team. Is a premise to accomplish the goal of owning a
website that provides your website

1.4.3 Strengths and Weaknesses
Strength

Weaknesses

•

Self-awareness

•

Perfectionist

•

Motivation skills

•

Self-criticism

•

Situational awareness

•

Multitasking

•

negotiation skills

•

Allows emotions to show

•

resolution skills

•

Needs to be right

•

Reliability

•

Strict

•

Resilience

•

Empathize and share

•

Being able to make courageous
or difficult decisions

•

Collaboration skills and
intercultural sensitivity

6

•

Ability to work with different
personal styles and approaches

1.4.4 Developing strengths
❖ Use your strengths
•

Get Additional Training
Once we graduate from school, we generally don’t revisit core subjects —
especially if we were good at them. But times change and business evolves.
If you want your strengths to stay strong, take some additional coursework
or solicit a mentor who can help you take things to the next level.

•

Identify Strength-Enhancing Opportunities
Practicing humility and recognizing that you can improve in certain areas is
key. Constantly challenge yourself to get better and look for those
opportunities to sharpen your skills.

•

Deliberately Practice
If you’re good at something, nothing makes that skill better than deliberate
practice. The deliberate practice focuses on the quality of your practice, not
necessarily the quantity, and in some cases, practicing “more” can be
counterproductive to your goals. I make sure that when I practice at a core
competency, I do it to the best of my ability and never practice in a trivial

way.

•

Learn From Others
I like to observe other people who have similar strengths to my own. As an
innate problem-solver, I’ve become better at my job by watching how other
people approach their work and learn from their experiences. I’m then able
to adapt what I’ve learned and take my approach to the situation.

•

Focus on the Positive
In this performance-oriented world, sometimes the focus is on continually
improving your weaknesses, instead of building your strengths. Having a
mentor who can help identify where your strong suits are is a key ingredient
in continuing to strengthen them. Remaining focused on the positive, and

7


putting less emphasis on the negative will aid in building your core
strengths.
❖ Develop relevant skills
A skill set is a combination of abilities, qualities, and experiences you can apply
to perform tasks well. These can include soft skills such as interpersonal skills,
organization, and leadership as well as technical skills such as research, computer
programming, accounting writing, and more. Skills can expand your professional
competency and allow you to perform your job well. You can gain and improve
skills with education and experience. The more advanced you are in performing

certain skills, the more likely you are to get or progress in a job.
1.4.5 Weakness improvement
Recognizing your weaknesses shows a strength of character and resolve. You
cannot improve if you do not accept your skill set may be subpar. Reflect on your
strengths and weaknesses, and then move forward with a strategic improvement plan.
Personal accountability may seem daunting, but the risk is worth the reward. If you can
act and turn weaknesses into strengths, you will be a role model for others.
•

Inventory Strengths and Limitations
Begin by making a list of your weaknesses. Don’t hold back. List everything
you can think of that needs some improvement. If you are having trouble
identifying specific weaknesses, consider incidents that left you feeling insecure
or disappointed in your performance. Next, organize your self-identified
weaknesses into categories, which can make them seem less overwhelming.

•

Set Goals
Set goals to create an action plan for improving weaknesses. Make sure your
goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely (S.M.A.R.T).
Review your goals to ensure they are attainable. Your list of goals acts as a
strategic plan for improving weaknesses. It will also help you prioritize tasks
and save time.

•

Obtain Additional Training
Professional development is a key action you can take to improve weaknesses.
As you review your goals, identify areas for improvement that require new

8


knowledge and training. Many organizations will provide free training, or even
fund external training courses for you.
•

Reward Yourself
As you turn your weaknesses into strengths, be sure to reward yourself.
Improving weaknesses shows that you are self-directed, action-oriented, and
ready to take the next step in your personal and professional journey.

➢ Improve my weakness
Weakness

Perfectionist

Self-criticism

Overcome
•

Become More Aware of Your Tendencies

•

Focus on the Positives

•

Allow Yourself to Make Mistakes

•

Set More Reasonable Goals

•

Learn How to Receive Criticism

•

Lower the Pressure You Put on Yourself

•

Pay attention to your thoughts.

•

Change the channel.

•

Examine the evidence.

•

Replace exaggeratedly negative thoughts with

realistic statements.

•

Balance self-improvement with selfacceptance.

Multitasking

Allows emotions to
show

•

Make a to-do list

•

Prioritize

•

Group similar tasks

•

Avoid distractions

•

Delegate

•

Practice

•

Take a look at the impact of your emotions

•

Aim for regulation, not repression

•

Identify what you’re feeling

•

Accept your emotions — all of them

•

Keep a mood journal

•

Know when to express yourself
9

1.4.6 The need for self-development
As life progresses, you are guaranteed to face a variety of circumstances, changing
environments, and new roles that require you to adapt to them. A personal development
plan will help you to handle the pressures that come with the continuous changes and
challenges so that you are well-equipped to excel in all the areas of your life.
Personal development is an ongoing process of self-improvement either in your
career, in your education, in your personal life, or all of these areas. It is about setting
goals for yourself and putting plans in place to reach those goals.
❖ Skills needed for my job
•

Coding Skills
One of the basic skill sets an employer will look for in an IT professional is the
ability to write code. If the job is programming or software/web development,
an employer may seek a candidate who can code in several different languages,
as many systems are built using multiple languages.

•

Communication Skills
Communication skills are important for anyone in IT, as information technology
professionals are often required to work across many teams and groups. IT
professionals often have to provide tech solutions for people who aren’t as
savvy. They have to demonstrate leadership at all levels of projects, and with
many different groups. They’re often called on to present ideas and reports to
larger groups of people.

•

Time and Project Management
Many IT professionals will need to be self-directed and self-motivated, and a
big part of self-directed work means an ability to manage projects well.
Technology work can often take longer than anticipated, as proven by how often
timelines and milestones change throughout a long project.
An IT professional should be able to assess accurately how long a project should
take, and then be able to stick to those timelines. He or she should also be able
to help an entire team manage their workload, on a daily, weekly, monthly, and
project basis.

10


•

As a web developer, you must know all about search engine optimization. This
is because website traffic is becoming more and more important to companies.
If a website has good SEO, it'll attract a greater number of webpage visitors by
showing up high enough in search engine result pages. Because more and more
companies are looking to have good SEO, it's an important skill to have as a
web developer.

❖ Essential knowledge for web developers
•

HTML/CSS
If you hope to become a web developer, you must understand HTML and CSS.
HTML is the most used markup language across the web, and web developers
use it to create web pages on the Internet.

•

Analytical
As a web developer, you'll need to have keen analytical skills to create a variety
of successful websites. This involves ensuring the coding is correct and the
website is functional. Also, it's important to understand the needs of your
customers or clients

•

Responsive design
If you work as a web developer, it's important to understand how responsive
design works. Because many people view web pages both online and on their
mobile devices, the websites you create need to adapt to the changing screen
sizes.

•

JavaScript
You'll also need to understand JavaScript as a web developer. JavaScript is a
high-level programming language that implements complex features onto a
website. This involves things like moving elements, search bars, videos, or
interactive maps on a webpage.

•

Testing and debugging
As a web developer, it's important to know how to continuously test your
webpage for any possible errors. Should any arise, you should also know how
to debug it. Testing makes sure your coding is doing what it's supposed to and

will come down to either functional testing or unit testing.

•

Back-end basics

11


You'll also need to understand some of the fundamentals of back-end web
development. This is because you'll be working in collaboration with back-end
developers or might be tasked with using these skills yourself. In this regard,
you'll need to know how servers work as well as APIs, SQL, databases, and
cybersecurity. All of these are important skills to know as they relate to the
server-side of a webpage.
1.4.7 Development plan
Target

Font - end

Skill

Request

HTML, CSS,

Design visuals, and

Javascript basic

animations for websites

Support

Time

Academy,
search the

6 month

internet
Academy,

Database

Database

Simple database building

search the

2 month

internet
Back end

MySql, PHP

Build projects in

Academy,

conjunction with Font -

search the

end

internet

HTML, CSS,

Misa

Web

JavaScript,

Exposure to the real

company,

Developer

Database,

environment, creating

Academy,

Intern

MySQL, PHP,

real products

search the

Fram work

Web

Decision-making

efficiency of the

Developer

skills

organization by making
the right decisions

Leader

and critical
thinking skills

3 month

internet
To increase the

Leadership skills

4 month

To lead the employees of
the organization and
think critically for the
good of the company

Research and
the company

2 year

where I work

Self-practice
and various

2 year

mentors

12

2. Conduct some research into motivational theories and how they can be used to improve
employee performance. Compare several theories and present your findings to your
peers.

Picture description

Picture description

13


Picture description

Picture description

14


Picture description

Picture description
15


Picture description

Picture description

16

3. Write a report on the usage of CPD within organizations and what evidence would be
required to measure how effective this CPD is in helping employees achieve their goals
while using their time and resources effectively
You can use the Skills for Care CPD framework to identify what you already have in
place and what needs to be developed further. Given the changing and multi-disciplinary
nature of many social care organizations, it is likely that your CPD framework will need to
address the needs of people from a range of backgrounds and services.
The model for implementing CPD is based on you developing a personal profile for each
worker. This has three stages and it means
•

linking job descriptions and person specifications to relevant national occupational
standards and other competencies to provide a competency-based profile of each
worker’s role

•

identifying what learning and development needs each worker has about these
competencies and recording these as personal development plans (PDPs)

•

identifying what learning opportunities workers need for their continuing
professional development (CPD). The CPD processes that you use will be informed
by the person profile and the PDP.

Developing the personal profile is an important part of your performance management
system as it enables workers to realize their potential by reviewing performance against
previously agreed objectives. Personal development plans are a tool to empower workers

to develop skills, knowledge, and experience to assist them to meet those objectives in their
current job and to plan career progression. You can use supervision for performance
management, support, and learning.
You need to be aware that sometimes these processes will be regarded as a threat rather
than an opportunity. This may relate to previous unsatisfactory workplace or education
experiences or lack of basic skills. A person-centered approach will look at what is needed
for a particular worker to overcome their fears about learning and what type of learning
best suits their needs and learning style. The PDP should address these issues in ways that
encourage learning and develop the worker’s confidence.

17


Your role is crucial in implementing CPD, as is emphasized in the Skills for Care
leadership and management strategy (SFC 2006a). You have the responsibility for making
sure effective CPD systems are in place and ensuring individuals have their development
plans.
You need to have systems in place for the worker, but also complementary
organizational systems, so that you know learning and development are contributing to
achieving service objectives. The table below outlines what you need to have in place for
the individual and the organization to effectively implement CPD.
Workers
•

Employers

Person profile – based on the person

CPD.

to

employees.

relevant

national

occupational
•

Personal development plan – essential
to identify learning and qualification

updated at least annually and relate to

•

for

all

Business planning linked to workforce

Training plan relating to the different
employee job roles.

•

Effective supervision systems that are

used to develop individuals (see the unit

Learning – access to development

of competence Managing Effective

activities and qualifications to meet

Supervision, SFC 2006a).

needs

from

induction

•

onwards.

•

framework

the person’s profile.

identified
•

CPD

development and training plan.

needs and track progress, it should be

•

Commitment from the top to supporting

specification and job role, linking these

standards and other competencies.
•

•

Appraisal

Appraisal system linked to personal
development planning.

–

performance

appraisal

•

Access

to

appropriate

learning

should identify learning needs and feed

provision, qualifications, assessment,

into the personal development plan.

and associated infrastructure.

CPD portfolio – can be paper-based,

•

electronic, or online and it would be
helpful for it to be based on a common

to learning activities.
•

template and include annual progress
summaries.

Learning infrastructure to support access
Career pathways – clear progression

routes.

•

Systems for tracking CPD.

18


Refer
www.futurelearn.com
www.indeed.com
www.breathehr.com
www.thebalancecareers.com
www.skillsyouneed.com

19