2nd January 2025

General

As veterinary professionals, we know that keeping abreast of the latest developments in the sector is essential to not only adhere to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct’s CPD hours requirements, but to also maintain and develop knowledge in a fast-moving industry.

But have you ever been bewildered by the breadth of CPD on offer and struggled to know how to make the most of your budget?

Jennie Mackinlay, Head of Learning and Development at Central CPD, offers some tips to get you started for 2025.

1. Consider your long-term career goals

Think about where you see your career progressing in the short and long-term, and what steps you’ll need to take to achieve your goals. Or if you’re returning to practice, consider a structured programme to expand key knowledge and expertise which can be taken into daily practice as well as support career development. Take a look at our range of Academy programmes and our brand new PGCert programmes (launching later this year) for ideas of training you could undertake.

2. Invest in a mix of online, practical and theoretical learning

With the choice of online and in-person CPD now available to us, it can be easy to stay in your comfort zone. But consider mixing up formats to give you a blend of self-directed learning as well as crucial hands-on practical sessions and more in-depth updates in specialist fields through theory courses. Check out our Membership packages, which offer a blend of free online and theory courses, as well as half price practical sessions all for one simple annual fee.

3. Plan in advance

It’s no secret that practice life can be incredibly hectic, and it can be easy to neglect your CPD until the last minute. But taking some time in January to plan out your learning across the topics that interest you or that you need some extra support in will do wonders for your stress levels at the end of the year! Our On-Demand subscriptions offer personal training plans to help you plan out your CPD and keep track of your learning throughout the year across a range of topics.

4. Reflect on your learning

Reflection is central to outcomes-based CPD and helps you get the most out of your learning. It doesn’t have to be time consuming and could include thinking about if and how you will make changes to how you work or reflecting on a case in practice. Our On-Demand content includes quizzes after each learning series to test your understanding and can be a great way to aid your reflection on what you have learnt.

We also offer the opportunity to progress through from basic to advanced courses in surgery, dentistry and diagnostic imaging, allowing you time for reflection on how to increase knowledge and skills.

If you’d like to find out more about how our membership plans can help you achieve your CPD goals for 2025, take a look at our range of options at www.centralcpd.co.uk/membership or drop us an email at [email protected].