Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the means by which the professions across the world ensure that their knowledge and skills remain up to date and relevant to changing needs and environments. CPD significantly contributes to the quality and reputation of the professions and therefore to the quality of national and international social life and economic well being.

Starting with a discussion on what CPD is, the author analyzes how professional bodies govern CPD, what support they provide to individual professionals and how they measure or evaluate what individuals do under the provenance of CPD. Continuing Professional Development explains why, up to now, CPD has been a relatively neglected subject in spite of it being carried out by millions. It argues whether a variety of perspectives or visions of CPD has held back wider public appreciation of it and if greater co-ordination by professional bodies, or the introduction of new players to the field, will change this in the future.

Providing the first comprehensive study of the subject, this innovative book will be required reading for CPD professionals and researchers and is a fascinating read for all professionals, especially those involved with human resource development and management / leadership development.

About the Author
Andrew L. Friedman is Professor of Management and Economics at Bristol University, UK and Managing Director of PARN. He has written 26 books and many articles which have appeared in adjudicated journals. Many of these publications cover CPD and most other aspects of professional body activities.

Reviews

'CPD is now a key element of ongoing trust in the professions - and it is here to stay. This book is an invaluable reference tool in relation to the history of CPD and ways in which it might evolve in the future.'

Helen Brand, Chief Executive, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

'CPD performs a pivotal role in ensuring that professionals maintain and develop their skills and knowledge throughout their careers and so maintain public confidence in the services that they provide. This book provides an invaluable analysis of the origins of, and rationale behind, the development of CPD together with an insightful look at the ways in which it may develop in the future.'

Desmond Hudson, Chief Executive, The Law Society

'Professor Andrew Friedman has performed an important task, examining the development and potential futures of continuing professional development (CPD). [...He] has assisted in taking away the mystery from the UK's CPD, providing a clear path through the complexities and offering some explanations of how some apparent paradoxes of custom and history may be overcome. That hopefully growing group of academics and educators who seek to raise the status of CPD thank him for success in these three aims and trust that his work will influence other nations as well as the UK.'

Studies in Continuing Education, January 2014

Book Information
ISBN 9780415679251
Author Andrew L. Friedman
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 408g