It’s approaching CPD review time again and you may be thinking about how to make up the required hours for your grade of membership, or even what your training and development options are for next year.
CPD can feel like a lot of effort or a chore to be completed, but spending a little time focussing on it can have a huge impact on your current job and your future career. Where do you see yourself in five years? Are you in the same role? If so, what is currently difficult that you could make easier by up-skilling? How could you achieve that? If you see yourself in a different role, what is it going to take to get you there? Will it be gaining new qualifications, refreshing your existing knowledge or even shadowing someone already in that role?
There are so many options that it can be difficult to decide what works for you, and when you throw in the expense related to some qualifications or training courses, everything becomes even more complex.
The good news is that there is nearly always a way to get to where you want to be. Finance doesn’t always need to be an obstacle. Remember that whatever your age, you are eligible for student loans and/or grants to study at degree level if you don’t already have a degree-level qualification. There are also loans available for postgraduate courses, so if your first degree is in a different subject, you could complete a post-graduate diploma or master’s degree in arboriculture.
There is also funding available for studying Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 qualifications via government Advanced Learner Loans, so don’t be afraid to look at these courses. If you aren’t sure whether you can apply for funding, check with the training provider.
If you suffer from dyslexia, don’t be put off studying at higher education level. There are support packages available from all colleges and universities which can help you buy technology to help you study – things like speech-to-text software – and provide additional time for any exams.
If you’re just looking to top up existing skills, there are so many options available, including the Association’s short courses. Subject-specific training is also available from various other professional bodies and charities at reasonable prices. Bear in mind work-related training and development (including travel and subsistence) is tax exempt in many cases.
If you are unsure of what might benefit you but you are still keen to learn new things, conferences are a great way to hear about new ideas in lots of different subject areas. You never know what might catch your interest and start you on a whole new path!
If you ever want to have a chat about professional development options, please feel free to get in touch with us at membership@trees.org.uk to schedule in a conversation.
This article was taken from Issue 202 Autumn 2023 of the ARB Magazine, which is available to view free to members by simply logging in to the website and viewing your profile area.