CPD

What is Continuing Professional Development (CPD)?
Continuing Professional Development is something that you are probably doing already just to make sure you're the best you can be at your job. The process of CPD can help you identify goals and areas for development; plan out a way to improve in these areas and reach your goals. For the individual professional it can lead to new opportunities, greater job satisfaction and also help to secure promotion. At its most effective, CPD is far more than that. From an organisational perspective it can improve staff motivation, assist succession planning and demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to excellence and lifelong learning.

Benefits of CPD
Regardless of where you are in your career, undertaking CPD can help you:

develop a personalised career plan
enhance employment opportunities
improve career satisfaction
track prior learning
show you are up-to-date with the requirements of your job
contribute to your CV
demonstrate your commitment and value within your organisation
prepare for promotion, job-hunting and interview situations

BIFM’s CPD Policy

The Institute’s policy on CPD in accordance with Industry guidelines ‘Construction Industry Council – Best Practice Guidance for employers/professionals’ (please see documents below), is that it should be a self-reflective process, which is self assessed (placing trust in the individual practitioner). It is up to the individual to decide what they need to do and to understand they are working within a development cycle – i.e. setting and working towards their own targets. BIFM supports an output, rather than input, based approach to CPD i.e. consider the learning gained rather than the amount of time spent.

BIFM requirements and links to use of Post-nominals

The BIFM encourages all members to undertake CPD and for Associate, Member, Fellow and Certified BIFM grades, use of post-nominals is linked to active commitment to CPD on a regular basis.

How can CPD fit into the busy life of an FM?
For the majority of FM’s, finding time to do CPD is an issue. Despite this challenge, there are plentiful opportunities to undertake CPD such as attending BIFM Group events and short courses, reading journals, visiting exhibitions, and volunteering. In fact most FM’s do CPD without even realising it.

Members will, also, have access to a wealth of development opportunities within their own organisations and personal lives. Activities such as participating in company training programmes, mentoring or undertaking voluntary work can all help to develop skills which are valued and respected in the workplace.

How can the BIFM help?

The Institute encourages all members to commit to CPD and offers a wide range of activities to benefit individuals and their employing organisations. The BIFM offers Members a wide range of CPD events (the majority of which are free) throughout the year via their Group Events. As well as attending events, members can also participate at regional and committee level, both providing excellent opportunities to display and develop personal strengths and qualities. Opportunities for involvement in Institute activities are described on various pages of the BIFM website, including Events, Groups, CPD News, FM World and Forums.

BIFM Qualifications in Facilities Management offer nationally recognised qualifications as a way to develop your skills and competences in FM. Qualifications are available at level 3, 4, 5 and 6 through a network of centres around the country.

BIFM Training offers a comprehensive programme of FM courses, which has been mapped against the BIFM competences. For full details of their course programme please go to the BIFM Training website.

To demonstrate your commitment to CPD and maintain a permanent record of your activities the BIFM offers you an online CPD framework. For more information on CPD and the Institute’s CPD framework, please click here.