IRP Continuing Professional Development is Here

This week, we've been very excited to launch our new IRP Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.

This is something to get excited about.

It's more important than ever to be able to demonstrate your continued learning and development, and to make sure you are up to date.

So what's it all about and why are we doing it? To get some answers, we spoke to Richard Charnock, Head of the IRP and Qualifications.

What is CPD?

"Continuing Professional Development is the means by which people maintain their knowledge and skills related to their professional lives. The IRP Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme is an online evaluation of all the up-to-date information a recruiter needs in today’s recruitment landscape.

It’s voluntary, open to all IRP members and is free. Many have taken it already, and are using it to identify skills and knowledge gaps they can work on and to benchmark themselves."

How does it work?

"You’re asked 30 questions, covering a range of different topics which are randomly assigned from a pool of possibilities. They’re completely tailored to each individual – your questions are formed based on you membership level, which (if any) IRP qualification you hold, and whether you work in the permanent, temporary, a combination, or the in-house market. It’s unique to everyone.

It only takes half an hour to complete, and you can come back to it any time within a 24 hour period. We know how it is. If you get a phone call from a client or a candidate, you can save it and come back to it later. We’ve designed it with your busy lives in mind.

The pass mark is 70%, and when you get any questions wrong, at the end you’re given a report and will be pointed in the direction of free online resources to help you upskill in whatever area you weren’t so strong in. And if you do fail, you have up to three attempts to sit it again and pass."

Why has it been developed?

"It’s been very much requested by both IRP members, and for employers who wanted it for their staff. They thought it would be a useful tool for discussions with clients around professionalising the industry, through knowing that IRP members are fully up-to-date and will continue to develop."

Why should members take it?

"The evaluation helps demonstrate to your employers, clients, candidates and yourself that you're up-to-date. And crucially, it helps identify areas you may not have been aware you were weaker in. Everything you need to get through the evaluation is a free resource in the member’s area. It’s for you, to help you when you need it."

Have you completed it yet? Tell us on Twitter using #IRPCPD.

If you haven't received your joining instructions, give us a call on 020 7009 2155 or email us at info@rec-irp.uk.com.

Explore IRP CPD for yourself here.