We all know the saying ‘if you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always got’ and it’s no different with developing your professional knowledge and skill set. CPD is essential to both maintain and enhance careers, increase productivity and resilience, not to mention adding value for your employer.
Ideally CPD should be planned in order to achieve the right things, such as an update on a new piece of legislation coming into force or improving presentation skills. For members of any professional institution, CPD is a vital way to demonstrate how you have maintained your professionalism and kept knowledge of your sector up to date.
What you do and how you do it is dependent on individual needs, circumstances and opportunities. However, the activity should result in you having learnt something, refreshed knowledge, skills or some form of development relevant to your role.
SODEXO is one company that is committed to developing and growing its staff and recently utilised The Chartered Institute of Wastes Management’s (CIWM) ‘WasteSmart’ e-learning course, to enable their employees to become competent and skilled in their roles.
Simon Turner, waste development manager at Sodexo said:
"Once delegates complete the online course they go on to undertake practical workshops and audits, which helps embed all that they have learnt. This approach helps us ensure we are providing delegates with the skills and knowledge required to deliver waste management services which meet and exceed client requirements."
A hot topic for 2017 is undoubtedly the Circular Economy (CE), and something everyone in the waste and resources sector should add to their list for CPD in order to understand the changing economic landscape, and how the sector will play its part. Everyone has a different area of interest, so CIWM will be producing additional guidance for members as to how CE can be incorporated into CPD for 2017.
CIWM’s education and training manager, Claire Poole, suggests that webinars and e-learning is a valuable way for time poor professionals to continue their CPD. She comments,
“A lot of people say they can’t do CPD, as they can’t get released to attend a training course or a conference. You can source lots of potentially relevant topics without even leaving your desk and CIWM offer many examples of both.”
CIWM can help your CPD with a variety of introductory and advanced level training courses in resources and waste management, designed specifically to help you progress in your career and include the latest legislation and best-practice advice.
Click here to find out more about CIWM training courses and download the 2017 training brochure. Become a CIWM member, and receive 20% off courses to help with your CPD for 2017.