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Survey finds continued growth in CPD importance

Echelon Publishing has released the findings of its second survey into the use of continuous professional development (CPD) by UK professional bodies.

Echelon's survey found that:

• CPD is mandatory for approximately 50% of responding institutions
• Within the other 50%, there is a trend to make CPD mandatory, with a slight majority of institutions expecting it to become so in the next five years
• Almost 90% of respondents expected the requirements placed on members to fulfil CPD obligations would grow
• Compared to 2004's survey, less emphasis was shown on assessment methods that concentrate on the number of hours completed or points acquired. This, says Echelon, reflects a shift from measuring inputs towards an emphasis on outcomes
• Almost 90% of those surveyed offered members a means of recording their CPD activity. However, when asked if this included an on-line system for keeping CPD records this percentage fell to less than one third. Echelon says this does not show any significant change from the 2004 results

Commenting on the survey findings, Echelon's David Hill said: "Comparing year on year results reflects the growing importance attached by professional bodies to maintaining the professional standards of their members.

"It is unlikely to be long before customers demand that professional advice is given only by those who have kept their knowledge and skills up to date."

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