The Purpose of Continuing Professional Development

Graduation from a tertiary institution or college enables you to begin your career as a professional and is a major learning milestone. It is also the start of another learning journey – your continuing development as a professional real estate agent, ‘Continuing professional development' commonly abbreviated to ‘CPD' refers to the work-related learning and development that ought to continue throughout your career.

Professionals in some fields must complete mandatory CPD Training Sydney in order to maintain their registration. For States other than NSW it is entirely discretionary but no less important. CPD is one among the key mechanisms by which high standards of professional practice and therefore the relevance and currency of qualifications and knowledge are maintained.

CPD training Sydney covers a wide range of professional development options. ‘Formal CPD' involves activities like participation in courses that enhance or increase your skills. It includes activities like work-related courses and attendance at conferences. ‘Informal CPD' includes learning new skills whilst at work and being mentored by somebody with more experience in your field.

Being a new agent in the early stages of your career presents an opportunity to set the course for success. In NSW CPD Training Sydney is imposed on you and there are certain requirements that must be met in order for you to stay working within the industry. REET can help you with all of this.

CPD should be looked upon as an investment for you and your employer

Continuing professional development (CPD) involves maintaining enhancing and increasing your knowledge expertise and competence. It includes:

*Keeping up-to-date with developments in the real estate industry in your State or Territory

*Extending your knowledge into other relevant fields be it Strata, Auctioneering or Stock and

Station Agency work.

*Underpinning existing skills and developing new ones;

*Developing an understanding of the sensible application of the latest skills and knowledge;

*Applying your learning and accumulating experience.

It's useful to think of CPD training Sydney as an investment – an investment by you in your career and an investment in your development as a professional by your employer. Both parties (you and your employer) can contribute to the investment. Whilst you would possibly be contributing time and energy your employer could be supporting you during a range of the way including accessing CPD/study leave and covering or sharing the value.

Applying a ‘return on investment' mindset to planning your CPD training Sydney is important because it focuses your thinking on the potential return in terms of career benefits from an investment of your time effort and possibly funding. When your employer is contributing by way of footing the bill or allowing you study time, they're going to expect a return on their investment – for instance that you simply will be more efficient in your work or that you can make more sales or lease more properties.

To apply a ‘return on investment' approach to CPD will help you to focus on the potential value of each CPD training Sydney activity you consider.

There is a smorgasbord of continuing professional development (CPD Training Sydney) choices available to agents who are willing to think creatively and analytically about their current role and career aspirations. There are three broad categories to think about:

1. formal CPD as required by your regulatory body (Fair Trading)

2. informal work-related CPD such as internet research on a real estate topic and

3. activities external to your work that contribute to your CPD such as building a

new home or applying for a development application at the local council.

 

Making the most of your investment in CPD involves three activities:

1. maintaining a professional development portfolio;

2. commitment to reflective practice; and

3. taking control of your CPD training Sydney.

A professional development portfolio is your personal record of CPD training Sydney and therefore the value derived from them. It includes but goes well beyond keeping a record of formal learning activities like the short courses and conferences you've already attended. A comprehensive professional development portfolio should include a ready source of detailed records that help keep your resume up to date and evidence your achievements.

Reflection is about giving careful thought to your experiences in real estate to help ongoing improvement in your performance. In the context of continuous professional development, it includes analysing your performance at work and therefore the ways during which you'll improve. It also involves thinking critically about the professional development activity you undertake so as to gauge what you've learned, its application in your current work role and its value to your employer.

Taking control of your CPD

Regardless of whether you have mandatory CPD training Sydney or your CPD is purely discretionary. the most satisfying results are achieved by agents who drive their own CPD training Sydney. Are you the agent that waits till the deadline is right on you before you act or do you research those courses that can benefit your career and proactively complete your CPD training Sydney so you can give yourself an edge on your competition?

The best agents are organised, proactive and look at their CPD obligations as a chance to learn more and position themselves for the changes that will take place throughout their careers. Is this you?