Your CPD Questions answered

What is CPD?

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) defines Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as “learning experiences which help you develop and improve your professional practice”. CPD enhances your professional competence by helping you maintain and develop your skills, knowledge, and experience—making you a more effective archivist, records manager, or archive conservator. It is essential for career growth, supporting the development of future-focused digital skills while preserving traditional skills.

Why is CPD important for record keepers?

CPD is fundamental to being a professional. ARA-accredited post graduate qualifications, apprenticeships and other forms of education or training provide the foundation for a professional career. To be recognised and respected as a profession, we must continue learning throughout our careers, applying new knowledge in practice, and reflecting on ways to improve what we do. CPD enables both individuals and the recordkeeping sector to keep pace with technological, legislative, and societal changes that shape our work. By engaging with new ideas and best practices, we collectively drive progress and raise the standard of recordkeeping practice.

This is why ARA’s Code of Ethics states that “Members should demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development throughout their career.” (para 8 page 4  Code+Of+Ethics+March+2024.pdf). We monitor this commitment via our CPD Review service.

What counts as CPD?

Almost any form of learning and experience can count as CPD. Events, training, webinars, networking, volunteering, self-directed research and following up on published articles and Blogs are just some of the ways to gain knowledge and expertise. We also learn through our day-to-day work, but what really matters is how we use that knowledge—how we apply it and how we reflect on the outcomes. Ask yourself: What went well? What didn’t? And what will I do differently next time?"

What kind of CPD is relevant to me?

We don’t prescribe the types of activity or objectives that count towards your CPD, as you are best placed to determine the most relevant CPD activities and goals for your own development. Start by reviewing your most recent annual work appraisal, as this will provide valuable feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement in line with the needs of your employer. It’s a time to also discuss training, and what resources or opportunities are available to support you. What budget is available? Are there secondments or other opportunities to gain experience in other areas of record keeping?

As well as the needs of your employer you should also think about your own career development. Where do you see yourself in five years? Are you looking to develop your current role, or look for other opportunities? What skills or experience do you need to get you there?

Job descriptions and person specifications for roles you are interested are a good source of insight. They will help identify the knowledge, experience and competencies that you will need to develop to give you the best chance of securing an interview or promotion. In most cases they will list essential and desirable areas of competence. This will help you plan how you will get the knowledge and experience that the employer is looking for, improving your chances of an interview.

How does ARA support members with CPD?

ARA’s competency frameworks offer a structured way to assess your skills against our sector development standards. Each competency can be achieved at five different levels. These levels give you insights into how you can develop and progress. You can pick and choose competencies to develop according to your own career direction.

ARA also offers an annual programme of events, training and other CPD opportunities. Some are free, other opportunities are provided at cost. ARA training and events (online, hybrid and in person), ARC magazine, ARA Today and ARA Research Journal are all part of your members benefits. They provide news, insights, research and good practice that will help you keep your knowledge and skills current.

How do I record my CPD?

We recommend you develop a professional development plan to help you decide your learning objectives – the areas of knowledge and practice that you would like to develop. Your learning objectives should be informed by your own career ambitions as well as the outcomes of your employer’s appraisal process.

At the end of each year, you should reflect on whether the CPD you have undertaken has helped you to meet the goals you set yourself and how well you have met them.

For more information and advice please contact chris.sheridan@archives.org.uk