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Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is about making progress in your FM career by increasing your skills, knowledge and understanding and thereby enhancing your effectiveness.

From an organisational perspective CPD can improve staff motivation, assist succession planning and demonstrate commitment to excellence and lifelong learning. For the individual CPD can lead to new opportunities, greater job satisfaction and also help to secure promotion.

CPD opportunities
Finding time for CPD is a challenge for the majority of FMs as many work long, unsociable hours. However, there are many opportunities to take part in CPD, such as attending BIFM regional and national events, reading journals and magazines such as FM World, visiting exhibitions, and volunteering on BIFM Committees.

Graham Barker, group facilities manager at Pace Micro Technology plc, has attended several CPD events arranged by the BIFM North Region and finds the CPD focus valuable, he said;

"Many of us do not realise that CPD takes many forms, it’s not just about formal training courses. Free events that provide information on subjects such as emerging technologies, legislation, work practices and Health & Safety are equally valid. Serving on committees for schools, sports clubs, and churches can also provide valuable learning experiences that can be applied in your work life.

"Given the wide ranging topics that fall under the FM banner it would be almost impossible to take time to go on individual courses for all subjects. I find going to events organised by the regional BIFM teams provides me with an opportunity to cover diverse subjects in one session. This allows me to assess the relevance and decide if I need to obtain more detailed information through other specialist sources.

“The next time you receive a notification of a BIFM event, put it in your diary and stick to it, I’m convinced you will not be disappointed".

Online CPD framework
The BIFM has re-introduced its online CPD recording which allows members to create permanent personalised records of employment history and learning ‘experiences’. The system can also create CPD certificates to verify attendance at events. A simple questionnaire allows you to rate yourself on the 20 BIFM competences and a plan shows areas where you might wish to improve your knowledge by undertaking further CPD.

“I was delighted to hear that the BIFM had re-introduced its online CPD facility.” said Simon Aspinall, Director of Catch 22 and member of the BIFM North Region committee; “It will certainly help with my personal desire to keep up-to-date with FM knowledge.

“When opening my CPD account I realised that I was already doing a significant amount of CPD but simply had not been recording it – attendance at events, networking meetings, volunteering on committees, regular reading of industry websites and email updates - all I consider to be CPD. Although I do a certain amount of CPD through paid for training courses, with the exception of the time commitment, much of what I have mentioned is at little or no cost to me or my company.

“CPD improves my ability to understand and communicate with FMs of all levels and disciplines, highlights where I may need to concentrate my efforts and helps focus the mind on development plans.

“As a professional recruiter, I am aware of how important CPD is to one’s career development, job satisfaction and lifelong learning. A commitment to CPD demonstrates a commitment to a career.”

How can the BIFM help?
The Institute encourages all members to commit to CPD and offers a range of activities to benefit individuals and their employers. The BIFM regions organise a wide range of CPD events, the majority of which are free. The BIFM Annual Conference and regional conferences are key events with a CPD focus which generate debate, discussion and networking.

As well as attending events, members can also volunteer at regional and main committee level, which provides excellent opportunities to display and develop personal strengths and qualities.

BIFM Training offers a comprehensive programme of FM courses mapped against the BIFM competences. For full details of the programme please click on the link below.

FM World magazine is available free to members and carries industry news, features, interviews, case studies and comment. This website also offers a plethora of learning and development opportunities, which support CPD.

Alan Nash, facilities manager at Eversheds LLP said;
“CPD assists you in defining roles and responsibilities, it is about understanding what you want to achieve and finding the appropriate content either in publications, conferences, distance learning or attendance at training programmes that assist your career progression.”

“Change is constant in all modern organisations therefore FMs have a role to play to ensure that they respond to, anticipate and drive changes within the working environment. Creating your own CPD record will take just a few minutes out of your busy working day. Once created you can keep it updated with all your learning experiences, including attendance at regional events. After attending a BIFM regional CPD event, you can also create a CPD certificate from your online record.”
Instructions on how to create an online CPD record and certificate are available by clicking the link below:

Find out more about CPD

BIFM Training