For information on Mentoring, please click here.
How can IKT help me with my CPD?
As the professional institute focused on the development of the individuals in the KT field, we have a strong interest in your professional development. The credibility and growth of the KT profession is based on the commitment of individual members to continuing self-improvement and knowledge sharing. We beleive that CPD should be a mixture of structured and unstructured learning, within and outside of the workplace and we are building a suite of tools and resources that will help you build purposeful learning into the routine of your professional life.
- CPD Tracker - we have developed a CPD tracker to enable you record the CPD that you have undertaken on an annual basis.
- CPD framework - we support the AURIL CPD Framework which outline the competencies required for the continuing professional development needs of knowledge transfer (KT) practitioners engaged in developing and supporting knowledge exchange links, relationships and partnerships between universities, public research organisations, private sector research bodies, industry and a range of external organisations involved in KT.
- IKT recognised course providers
- Listing of events and courses - on our events page we provide listings of events and courses offered by our Recognised Course Providers and courses and events of general interest and relevance to our member
- Research into KT practice seminars - our recent series of RiKTP seminars provided the opportunity to share research findings and best practice in focused groups.
- Mentor/Mentee listing and matching service
- Sharing of Best Practice
A copy of the CPD tracker and cpd framework will be sent to all members on an annual basis. Alternatively you can call us for a copy. Please telephone: 020 7470 4912 email: info@ikt.org.uk
What Is CPD?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a means of ensuring that members of a profession maintain their expertise, skills and competence by keeping up to date with recent developments in a structured way. In addition to maintaining your professional competence, CPD provides a framework within which you are able to review your developmental requirements and set yourself goals and objectives for the development of further skills and capabilities. There is no fixed formula for the CPD that you should undertake, every individual is different, and the level and type of CPD approach you take will differ depending on your current skill set, competencies and career aspirations. CPD is usually achieved through a combination of approaches, ideas and techniques that will help you manage your own learning and growth. These could include professional work-based activities, courses, seminars, conferences, subject relevant reading and research and self-directed informal learning. The focus of CPD is firmly on outcomes and results of the learning and - the benefits that it can bring you in your current employment and future career.
Why should I keep a record of my CPD?
As a professional, you have a responsibility to keep your skills and knowledge up to date. Keeping a personal record of your activities helps you turn that accountability into a positive opportunity to identify and achieve your personal and career development objectives.
We believe that not only is ongoing learning and development essential for all IKT members, but it is also increasingly important to career development and progression, helping you maintain and develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today's dynamic and demanding business environment.
IKT places great emphasis on its members' commitment to development and learning and you will be required to demonstrate your commitment to CPD in your full membership and fellowship application. So, if you are an associate member, intending to upgrade to full membership at some stage in the future, or a member aspiring to upgrade to fellowship, regular recording of your CPD activities should help you provide tangible evidence of your commitment.
The CPD Tracker
We have developed a CPD Tracker [make this a link to tracker] to help you record your professional development and learning activities. The CPD Tracker provides you with the opportunity to evaluate the outcomes and results of your activities and articulate how you have/will apply the new skills/knowledge in your current role or future career. It also provides for you to record any further action that you intend to take as a follow up to that learning.
How much time should I spend on CPD?
There are no rules about the amount of CPD you should record. Our approach is based on the principle of 'reflective learning' that focuses on the qualitative assessment of outcomes and results, rather than specific amount of time spend doing things or attending a certain numbers of courses.
What counts towards CPD?
Your CPD Tracker should reflect a range of learning and development activities. Anything can count as evidence as long as you show that you've learnt something from it. We recommend that you concentrate on the activities that have made the most impact on your current role or future career.
Accordingly, IKT supports your professional development by giving you the flexibility to obtain your CPD through a wide range of activities. It is not just about attending courses. For instance, coaching, mentoring, e-learning, networking, discussion groups, working on committees or panels, reading, and undertaking research are just some of the other ways in which you can find development opportunities. 'Learning as Practice' is particularly suitable to the interactive nature of knowledge transfer and therefore CPD will be most effective when it reflects an integral part of your work activity.
How often should I fill in the tracker?
We recommend that review your development and learning activities at least once a year. This can be a particularly useful exercise if performed in conjunction with your annual appraisal at work or prior to contemplating a career move. It can also be a useful exercise to undertake with a coach or mentor. We recommend that you review your activities over the previous 12 months, and then set your CPD objectives for the coming year. Reflecting on the past and planning for the future in this way makes your development more methodical and easier to measure.
For more information about Knowledge Transfer CPD, please contact us.