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Education doesn’t end when you finish high school or graduate from college. Albert Einstein famously said that “education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think”. The concept of lifelong learning is a relatively new phenomenon, reflecting the changing recruitment landscape as industries evolve and new ones emerge.
If you’re working with a youth life coach, you’ve probably heard about Continuing Professional Development (CPD). It’s the focus on developing your skills and abilities through formal and informal education. You can start your CPD at any age, whether it’s following passion projects or getting extra experience in your chosen career field.
Lifelong learning is recommended by life coaches for young adults as it increases self-motivation, boosts self-confidence, and develops practical skills. We’re deep-diving into the world of CPD courses and how they can help your career and personal development.
What is Continuous Professional Development?
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses are learning programs designed to help you develop skills and knowledge within a niche or industry. Although they’re seen as a tool for career progression, CPD courses keep you up to date with the latest trends, research, and innovation within your field. If you work in a specialist industry, you’ll want to make professional development a priority.
While employees are increasingly offering training initiatives, you can be proactive and sign up for CPD courses at any stage in your career. A CPD course can give your resume an edge and help your personal development, as well as your career. 87% of millennials consider learning and development important to their career.
CPD courses are different from the classes you might have taken at high school or college. Formal courses are usually certified, allowing you to list them on your resume when applying for new positions. You can use CPD courses to showcase your career ambitions and develop your expertise within a niche.
When Life Coaches Recommend CPD Courses
CPD isn’t just for your resume. It’s a recommendation that often comes up within teenage life coaching to capitalize on the benefits of lifelong learning. You can complement your academic work by undertaking formal and informal CPD to keep you motivated with achievable short-term goals.
Undertaking these courses will increase self-confidence and give a sense of accomplishment between the milestone events of high school and college graduation. If you’re a parent trying to support a child through school, encouraging them to start with informal CPD can help them find the right career path or an industry of interest.
Why is CPD Popular?
You can think of CPD as the next step in your education, going beyond high school glasses and normal syllabuses. It’s what can set you apart from your peers with the same academic background. As college enrollment remains consistently high, CPD courses will help your resume stand out to potential recruiters, whether you’re applying for an internship or taking the next step up the corporate ladder.
CPDs are popular as they allow you to focus on expanding your skills and knowledge in a particular subject. You can choose a formal course, usually over a few days, or explore informal options with independent research.
Continued professional development (CPD) falls into two categories:
1. Formal CPD
Structured learning, such as conferences, events, seminars, lectures, and workshops. These events may be hosted in person or online. You may be offered these CPD courses as part of your training and development by your employer or you can sign up independently. Formal CPD courses and events usually cost a fee, but you may find free courses being offered by educational institutions.
2. Informal CPD
Self-directed learning, such as independent research, reading articles, analyzing case studies, and following industry news. Informal CPD is the most affordable option and is suitable for students and professionals at any stage in their careers. Undertaking self-directed learning can help you prepare for professional examinations and develop your transferable skills.
With remote working on the rise, it’s no surprise that CPD is also finding itself becoming increasingly popular in the digital world. Most CPD courses are now online self-paced courses, with hybrid options also being popular, offering flexibility for students and young professionals.
Why Life Coaches Recommend Continuing Professional Development Courses
Life coaches for young adults recommend CPD courses for their professional and personal benefits. It’s never too early to start thinking about your career by undertaking informal CPD to expand your horizons and develop lifelong skills.
Here are four benefits of continuing your education with CPD courses:
1. Boosts Your Earning Capabilities
Giving your resume a competitive edge by undertaking CPD courses can boost your earning capabilities by helping you climb the career ladder faster. Take advantage of courses offered by your employer or explore affordable options from local educational institutions. Investing in your career with CPDs will pay off with a higher salary down the road.
2. Create New Opportunities
Lifelong learning opens doors to new opportunities, from different career paths to potential promotions. You’ll increase the competitiveness of your resume by adding new abilities and skills, whether you’re specializing in a niche industry or an emerging sector. Staying ahead of trends and innovations means you can transition your career as new opportunities arise.
3. Expand Your Network
Continuing your education by attending courses, lectures, and conferences helps you expand your network by making more connections in your industry. You’ll get insights from your peers at different stages in your career, with the potential to find a mentor or gain new opportunities through networking.
4. Grow Your Confidence
Starting your career isn’t always easy. You want to start growing your confidence early on. Expanding your skills and knowledge will make you more confident in your decision-making, allowing you to advance your career and undertake new tasks and projects.
Continued professional development allows you to utilize and develop transferable skills, from data analyzing to problem-solving, that you’ll use throughout your career.
It’s never too early to start thinking about the future. Whether you’re an intern or a mid-level executive, CPD courses can give your resume a competitive edge. Book a free consultation to discover how a life coach can support you as a parent, teen, or young adult through your professional development.
