CPD Courses

CPD courses are often sector specific: Here’s a selection of short courses offered by my local academic institution.  But what about getting credited for those transferable skills that you have gained over your working and personal life? This is where we might need to put on the head-torch and do some excavation for ourselves.

Often the identification of our transferable skills involves the translation from one language to another. This is the translation of a series of verbs in our personal lives into a series of (sometimes abstract), nouns that can then be applied within the professional world. In this manner, “settling a parking disagreement with a neighbour”, translates to  become ‘conflict resolution‘ and “diplomacy’ as a skillset.

There may also need to a second translation in order that your transferable skills become relevant in your chosen industry  sector.  I know, there is probably a thought crossing your mind at this moment the says ‘for goodness sakes, can they not see how that would work?’ however, if you are at interview and you really want the job, it might be really worth putting in the effort of identifying clearly exactly how that might apply in their context. If you overtly show the panelists just how you might benefit them, then you do increase the chances of you getting the role. Why? because you demonstrate an understanding of their work environment.  Because secondly, my husband says: Assumption is the other of all fxxk-ups!”. Never assume that others can see what is patently obvious to you. Because, thirdly do the work for them and you may get points for that too.

This way, ‘conflict resolution’ and ‘diplomacy’ can become ‘robust people management skills’ within your sought after role in A&E. So in this three stage translation process; from verb, to noun, to verb applied in context. This is the process for naming identifying, and applying your transferable skills to your next professional context. A process well worth engaging with if you want that next job or promotion. All your experiences count in your CPD, you just need to be willing to engage with this simple  translation process. CPD courses are not the only way to gain CPD points. CPD points do mean prizes.

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