What is CPD and Does the Public Care?

Nov 20
08:13

2012

Russell Chaplin

Russell Chaplin

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Continued professional development, or CPD as it is more commonly know has become a hot topic among driving instructors in Nottingham. Is there any real advantage for those who undertake any form of CPD in the modern marketplace? Let's take a look.

mediaimage

When a driving instructor has passed the three part qualification examination they have gained the status of approved driving instructor and are then entitled to charge pupils for lessons upon displaying the official badge on the car windscreen. This is the basic minimum requirement for those coming into the industry and the only qualification recognised by the general public. Whilst many driving instructors take further training there is no recourse to inform the public of these extra qualifications.

There is no solid framework for CPD or what this extra training should be. A Driving Standards Agency press release stated that it could be anything that improves your instructional performance or business skills,What is CPD and Does the Public Care? Articles even reading an article in a magazine. Surely this is insufficient as most instructors would read an article on driving but the public would hardly regard this as professional development. Something more measurable is required and the opportunity to make the achievements known to the public is essential to gain the deserved market advantage. Instructors can sign the Driving Standards Agency register to say they will take a minimum of one day's CPD training per year but no evidence is required to say that the training has been carried out or what the results of the training were.

There are many professional development courses available to the driving instructor, usually run by the driving instruction associations but some by private individuals and companies. These tend to be run on weekdays and have to be paid for by the individual taking the course. This means a day off work for the instructor incurring financial loss and probable inconvenience to pupils. Any travel costs would also have to be taken into account. If an instructor attends these training days then it would be reasonable to assume that there would be some advantage in the marketplace as a result but this is definitely not the case.

The professional associations offer online CPD diaries where driving instructors can log their training and keep a record of achievement. The nature of the training can be recorded whether it be advanced driving tests or business skills development. The results of the training can be logged stating what has been learned but these are members only sections and not open to the public. There is no way to advertise these achievements in order to seek advantage over those who do not continue improve their skills. Some extra qualifications such as the diploma in driving instruction do have a definite framework and do present evidence of learning but again are not recognised by the public and therefore present no market advantage.

In an industry which at the moment is oversubscribed and a market which is heavily price driven the cheapest driving instructors take the business and those who may need to charge a fair price to support their ongoing development are pushed to the back. In an industry as important as driving instruction this is a very unfair and dangerous situation. The driving instruction industry needs a definite CPD programme and a system whereby the public can access information more easily to make an informed choice when choosing a driving instructor rather than being overly influenced by unrealistic pricing of lessons.