"I now see CPD as an integral part of my life": Authorship in continuing professional development
Abstract
The Actuarial Society of South Africa (‘Actuarial Society’) is piloting amended
continuing professional development (‘CPD’) requirements. Cycles of work-based
personal development are expected to support the delivery of a quality service better
than the existing requirement to attend a minimum number of relevant events. Feedback
from volunteers on the pilot project indicated that the proposals were effective in this
regard. However, it was also observed that the reflective process embedded in the
development cycle resulted in professionals authoring on-going positive revisions to
their professional identity. Further, that strengthened professional identity might be
leading to a ‘virtuous circle’ whereby the professional is in turn motivated to continue
engaging in effective CPD. This paper explores this observation and the extent to which
professional identity may be inscribed through a CPD programme which facilitates
authentic professional development.