The Importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) For a DEA

Continuing Professional Development is a method of constantly improving ones knowledge and ability in a chosen professional sphere and as such is vital to both career progression and professional excellence.

CPD is achieved by setting oneself targets to gain experience and knowledge in certain areas in a given time. This is often done via practical experience and is kept track of by way of good record keeping and notation.

So why is CPD important for a domestic energy assessor?

CPD plays a vital part in the modern professional world and is beneficial to the professional and to the customer in equal measures. The importance to the professional is many fold:

• CPD enhances knowledge and ability on a constant basis;
• A CPD record keeps the professional up to date in terms of learning;
• CPD allows one to keep abreast with changes in professional methods or regulations;
• As far as the customer is concerned, the above are all beneficial in that they can be assured the professional is fully up to speed.

Can CPD enhance my career?

Yes it can; all domestic energy assessment accreditation schemes encourage a CPD programme to be undertaken by the professional. Through continual professional development you can add value to your professional service offerings whether employed or self-employed and inturn increase your earning potential.

Beyond that, a CPD programme is necessary in order to make sure that you are up to date with current processes and any changes in procedure, and also guides you towards improving your knowledge in areas that you feel are your weaker points.

Will it take up much time?

The beauty of CPD is that it is carried out to a great degree - 'on the job' and will therefore be part of your normal working day/week. CPD does not involve tests or exams, and does not entail you using any more than a little of your spare time. This is used to keep notes and progress marks for yourself, and to also take in a bit of 'reflective learning' - looking back upon recent CPD milestones and taking stock of what has been learned and achieved. CPD Register provides a central point for energy assessor professionals' CPD information and records.

Each CPD programme is tailored by and for the individual - there are no set rules and no rights or wrongs. You decide the areas in which you intend to improve via CPD. This is important as it enables you to look at where your strengths and weaknesses are and to choose to work on these particular areas.

Reflective learning allows you to be sure that you have made progress by comparing your previous knowledge with that gained via your CPD programme.

Put simply, CPD is important because it enables the professional to improve his or her ability and knowledge through work and learning, and is a constant record of changes in ones professional area. Being able to look back upon recent experience and learn from it is a vital part of the learning process.

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Concerning Athletic Scholarships and College Sports

Countless high school students, possessing athletic skill and talent, are looking forward to a college education with the support of an athletic scholarship. In order to attain these grants, there are a few things students need to remember.

It should go without saying that grades are very important in availing (and maintaining) an athletic scholarship. A player has more opportunities open to him in college sports , the better his grades are. Schools are more inclined to give sports grants and scholarships to students who show that they can perform academically as well as athletically. Poor grades in turn may lessen a player's chances of getting student athlete scholarships.

Coaches appreciate applicants who make the effort to call. It is important to contact the coaches of prospective colleges and determine what they are looking for in a student athlete. Waiting on them to call would be a mistake, given the vast number of hopefuls in other schools. Initiating contact can accelerate the recruiting process and let an applicant know what coaches are interested in.

All emails and letters from schools should be considered, even if they are not an Ivy League college. Coaches who don't receive any response from letters will naturally assume the student is not interested. Do not leave out any possibility unless the decision has been made and finalized. A so-called second or even last choice may prove to be only one.

It imperative that an applicant should be professional in the process of trying out for college sports. There are no second chances when making first impressions with college coaches and administrators. Immaturity and irresponsibility will easily turn away and discourage a potential coach. The applicant should maintain respect for all involved as much as possible. The influence other people can have to coaches in regards to assessing student's character should not be underestimated as well.

Fortunately, the Internet has proved to be a useful venue for both athletes and coaches participating in college sports. There are many websites and online forums wherein students and scouts can come together and interact about athletic scholarships and other important information. D1Athletes is an online community wherein athletes and coaches alike can share and exchange information they need. D1Athletes offers them a place to build an online presence and gain important public exposure.

To learn more, visit D1Athletes.com or just click college athletic scholarships.

Choosing Wisely - An Online Guide to Choosing the Right Distance Learning Program

Distance learning programs have become increasingly popular in recent years. By offering individual attention and accredited lessons, distance learning programs are extremely appealing to parents of homeschooled children, especially those who want to do everything they can to help their children succeed in school and gain admission into college. However, the increase in the number of distance learning programs has also made it increasingly important for parents to take the time to choose the program that is best for their child or children.

The following is a short, simple, but effective guide to what parents should consider when choosing the right distance learning program for their child. Choose wisely.

1. Individualized Programs - The entire idea behind a distance learning program is that it provides students with individual attention and an individually tailored curriculum that they might not necessarily receive at a traditional school. Parents looking to enroll their child in a distance learning program should consider whether a program provides this one-to-one attention and whether or not the program can be uniquely tailored.

2. Consider the Teacher - Parents must also take the time to find a program that features highly qualified teachers who are able to effectively and efficiently communicate with the students they have been assigned to, as well as with their parents.

3. Accreditation - Parents should also make certain to select a program that has been officially recognized and accredited by an official licensing organization such as Western Association of Schools and Colleges. By doing so, the assure themselves that the curriculum is in line with academic standards, and that the teachers delivering the curriculum are fully credentialed.

4. Inspect the Curriculum - Since the ultimate goal of a distance learning program is often to prepare students for admission and success in college, parents must take the time to look over the curriculum to see if it is designed to help students meet admission requirements for a particular college or university. Other factors that parents should look for in a program's curriculum include the method of delivery, the grade level covered, and whether or not it is aligned to local or national standards.

5. Read the Reviews - Since there are so many programs that parents can choose from, it is always important for them to look at what other parents are saying about them. Don't be fooled by fancy graphics or "extra" features, instead, look at who is running the program, and who the program is accountable to.

Besides these five factors, parents should also look at a distance learning program's record of college placement, the existence of learning opportunities with other colleges and universities, available support services, the "community" associated with the program, and whether or not the program offers any additional parent training.

Choosing the right distance learning program can be a huge decision in the life of both a parent and a child. There are definitely many factors to consider, but by taking the time to choose wisely, students can certainly reap the benefits of what has become an extremely effective method of preparing students for admission and success in college.

To learn more about a quality, distance learning program please visit Laurel Springs School. Laurel Springs School is an accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades K-12. Laurel Springs uses web-based communication tools, a standards-based curriculum, and personalized instruction to offer students the highest quality home education experience based on your child's learning style.