Institute of Hospitality CPD Scheme

In this section, we explain what Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is and how you can benefit. What counts as eligible CPD sets out the different types of CPD and relates to the page where you can record your own activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CPD?

Why should I undertake CPD?

How will I benefit from the Institute of Hospitality website?

What counts as eligible CPD activity? - A Practical Approach

Am I required to do this?

How do I create an Extended CV (or resume)?

What is CPD?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the term for a framework of learning and development activities which is seen as contributing to an individual's continued effectiveness as a professional. Another associated term is 'lifelong learning', although CPD has become the most commonly used term. This is because CPD comprises more than just learning activities which are largely associated with taking courses and passively receiving information. CPD takes place in a number of contexts and through various activities. It does not simply involve taking a refresher course or two, but taking part in less structured, more job-specific activities such as on-the-job learning or mentoring.

Continuity is very important when it comes to CPD. Learning does not stop with the completion of a formal qualification as knowledge can quickly become outdated, particularly in the areas of technology and legislation, hence the need for CPD.

CPD requires:

• Personal commitment to keeping your professional knowledge up-to-date and improving your capabilities - helping you to be an even better professional.
• Focus on what you learn and how you develop throughout your career.
• Focus on the individual, so you decide what, when and how much you do.
• Formal learning – courses, qualifications.
• Professional learning – conferences, seminars, coaching, mentoring, networking, taking part in working groups.
• Informal learning – reading, keeping up to date.

Continuing Professional Development is not necessarily:

• Imposed on you from above or outside – you decide what you want to do and when.
• Additional work – you’re probably already doing CPD, perhaps without realising it.

Please follow the link for more information regarding what counts as CPD.

Why should I undertake CPD?

CPD enables a professional to:

• Update knowledge and skills in existing and new areas of practice.
• Keep professional qualifications up-to-date.
• Raise your profile through certification and networking, making yourself more marketable to future employers.
• Gain recognition for informal CPD that has already been undertaken.
• Increase competence in a wider context benefiting both personal and professional roles.
• Demonstrate commitment to the profession.
• Gain greater job satisfaction.
• Obtain new and improved skills - making challenging tasks easier.
• Increase skills, knowledge and confidence in your professional abilities
• Employers will be more likely to recognise your talents.
• Enhance a CV and show what you can do, so when you are next looking for a promotion, salary increase or new job you will be able to show the supporting activities and knowledge to justify job advancement or a rise.

How will I benefit from using the Institute of Hospitality web site?

The Institute's resources and "My CPD" which includes the CPD Tool will help you keep track of your CPD activities:

• Professional books and journals you read.
• Courses you have completed.
• Informal CPD work you have been doing, like coaching a colleague, leading a workshop or taking part in a working group.
• What your key learning points have been and how you plan to apply them.

To access, create and add to your own My CPD Tool, simply login on the Institute of Hospitality web site. Whether you are preparing for an annual appraisal, applying for a new job or updating your CV, the "My CPD Tool" provides a record of CPD-qualifying activities. The CPD activities quickly add up and, by the end of the year, you can look back and see how much you have achieved.

Within the Institute of Hospitality website there are many opportunities to access different types of CPD-qualifying activities. For example, members have exclusive access to the Institute's Information Services including collections of ejournals and ebooks covering hospitality, leisure & tourism (HLT), general business, career development and management.

What counts as eligible CPD activity? - A practical approach

Institute of Hospitality recognises a variety of CPD activities, which fall broadly into three categories: structured professional learning, work based professional development and unstructured professional development activity.

Structured professional learning includes:

• Continuing education (part time, full time, distance learning) leading to qualifications (e.g. Institute of Hospitality Management Qualifications)
• Attending seminars, courses or workshops, including on-line and CD-ROM based courses (e.g. taking part in Institute of Hospitality seminars at Hotelympia, Hospitality show etc)
• Long term research projects (6 months+)

Career based professional development includes:

• Attending networking events(e.g. Institute of Hospitality AGM, Annual Lunch, Fellows' Dinner, etc)
• Attending conferences and exhibitions (e.g.Hotelympia, Hospitality Show, etc)
• Staff training, preparation of training materials
• Coaching/mentoring
• Preparation/presentation of papers for conferences, meetings or publication
• Active participation in Institute of Hospitality or other Regional management Briefings and working groups
• Work shadowing, secondments, on-the-job training

Informal professional development includes:

• Private study (e.g. reading Hospitality management related books, on-line research, reading hospitality and leisure management journals and periodicals)
• Attending exhibitions relevant to your industry
• Submitting responses to Institute of Hospitality member consultations if any.
• Keeping up with current affairs within the sector eg. via television, Radio etc

If you think there are other types of activity or specific resources which Institute of Hospitality should consider as contributing to members’ CPD, then please email us at info@instituteofhospitality.org

Institute of Hospitality requirements for CPD

The Institute of Hospitality requires all of its members to engage in CPD activities to ensure that they continue to represent the Institute as competent and knowledgeable professionals in their chosen specialist fields. Members are encouraged to keep a log of their CPD activities using this section. Membership upgrades will take into account CPD activity.

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