Benefiting from CPD
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is used by many professions to help individuals maintain and develop their knowledge and skills.


Within the driver training industry, CPD enables instructors to broaden their skills, or the range of services that they can offer. It also gives their customers greater confi dence that they will receive up-to-date instruction.


Mark Magee, head of modernising driver training, commented: "CPD is not just a DSA initiative. It is strongly supported by all the national driving instructor associations.


"DSA continues to work with the industry to encourage and promote the take up of CPD. Practical test centres are now displaying a poster giving information on local and national associations, and how they can support you with your CPD."


Mark highlighted that CPD is, however, personal to the individual: "Each ADI should identify their own development needs and consider what will give them the best return for their investment of time and money.


"There are resources out there to help ADIs do this. I'd recommend visiting the CPD area on Business Link. It includes a useful self assessment tool to help you put together an individual development plan and record your CPD, as well as a series of short videos giving examples of CPD and how it can enhance or broaden your skills."


Don't forget to declare that you are committed to CPD. Tick the box on the instructor homepage of the Integrated Register of Driver Trainers (IRDT). It's as simple as that.


Michelle Dunning sees CPD as: "a vital part of our business as it pushes the instructors to keep up to date with current issues."


A qualified ADI and ORDIT trainer, Michelle is studying for the Diploma in Driving Instructing: "I have pushed myself to learn something new about our profession which in turn I can pass on to my pupils. I also give up my time to do tutorials at my local college about safe driving, effects of alcohol on driving and how to choose a driving instructor. I don't get paid for these but they give me a chance to keep up to date with what is happening in our industry."

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