5 Things You Didn’t Know About Professional Development Units
#1: CPD Units or Professional Development Units may be referred to as CPD Hours or Points in New Zealand.
In New Zealand, the terms CPD Units, Hours, or Points are often used interchangeably, depending on your industry or professional body. However, they all refer to the same concept – ongoing learning to maintain and enhance professional skills and competence. It’s important to check how your organisation or industry’s accrediting body defines and tracks CPD. Whether it’s called a unit, hour, or point, the goal remains the same: to support your continuous growth and ensure you stay current in your field. At CCH Learning, all live webinars and on demand recordings are listed in CPD Hours, generally offering 1 – 1.5 hours CPD per session.
#2: All of our available sessions are verifiable units/points, with workbooks and interactive Q&As.
When it comes to earning CPD, not all learning is created equal. At CCH Learning our sessions qualify as verifiable CPD – meaning they meet the standards set by professional bodies like CAANZ and NZLS. All sessions includes structured materials like downloadable workbooks and interactive Q&A segments, helping learners engage more deeply with the content. This not only enhances the learning experience but also provides clear evidence of participation, which is often required for compliance and audits. With CCH Learning, you can be confident your time spent learning is both valuable and officially recognised.
#3: On demand webinars can earn you professional development units/CPD Points.
Flexibility is key when it comes to professional development, and on demand webinars make it easier than ever to stay on track. With CCH Learning, you can access high-quality, expert-led sessions anytime, anywhere – and still earn verifiable CPD points. CCH Learning on demand recordings are designed to meet professional standards, including supporting materials, like workbooks and transcripts, as well as a CPD assessment quiz to ensure your learning is recognised. Whether you’re catching up after hours or fitting learning into a busy schedule, CCH Learning on demand recordings allow you to grow your skills at your own pace without compromising on CPD compliance.
#4: You can attend sessions across a wide range of professional development areas.
CPD isn’t limited to just technical skills or compliance topics and with CCH Learning, you can explore a broad range of professional development areas. From leadership and communication skills to ethics, wellbeing, and industry-specific updates, there is a wealth of learning content to explore. This variety allows you to tailor your learning journey to your career goals and interests, while still meeting your CPD requirements. Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise or expand into new areas and develop your skillsets, there’s a CCH Learning session to suit your needs. Diversifying your CPD not only keeps learning engaging but also helps you stay agile and well-rounded in a constantly changing professional landscape.
#5: Conferences, workshops, webinars and even some podcasts may count toward CPD—just check they’re approved.
Professional development doesn’t need to be limited to formal training only. Many industry events – like conferences, workshops, and webinars – can count toward your CPD requirements. Even some podcasts, if they’re educational and relevant to your field, may be eligible. The key is ensuring the content aligns with your professional body’s CPD requirements as well as your own professional development goals, and that you can verify your participation. You should always check with your professional body if the activity is recognised and keep records such as certificates, notes, or reflections. The flexibility to choose from a range of learning resources allows you to tailor your learning to your interests whilst meeting your CPD obligations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key skills required for career advancement in business?
To advance in a business career requires more than just technical know-how. Key skills for career growth include strong communication, strategic thinking, leadership, and adaptability. A good level of emotional intelligence and the ability to collaborate across teams are also essential in today’s dynamic business environments. As technology continues to evolve, digital literacy, keeping up with technical advancements and data-driven decision-making are becoming increasingly valuable. Continuous knowledge building with CCH Learning webinars and on demand recordings can helps professionals stay competitive by building these core competencies. Whether you’re aiming for a leadership role or looking to extend your impact, developing a broad skill set is crucial for lasting success in any business career.
What opportunities are available for interdepartmental professional development?
A valuable way to broaden your perspective and build cross-functional skills is to look for interdepartmental professional development opportunities. These may include joint training sessions, secondments, collaborative workshops, job shadowing, or cross-team projects. Experiences like this can help you understand how different parts of the wider business operate, improving communication across departments, and fostering innovation through different viewpoints. Many organisations also offer rotational programs or mentoring across teams or divisions to encourage knowledge sharing and a better understanding of the company’s operations. Engaging in interdepartmental learning can enhance your versatility within the business but also position you as a more strategic and collaborative professional – key qualities for leadership and career advancement.
Is there an audit process for CPD?
Professional bodies conduct CPD audits to ensure members are meeting their ongoing professional development requirements. Audits are typically conducted on a percentage of members often randomly or based on specific criteria, e.g. those new to the profession. If you are selected for an audit, you’ll typically need to provide evidence of your CPD activities, such as certificates, attendance records, workbooks, or reflective statements, however, the specific requirements will vary depending on the professional body. Submitted documentation is then reviewed by the professional body and if issues are identified feedback will be provide to the member to address any concerns. Verifiable CPD, like sessions from CCH Learning, makes this process easier by offering clear documentation. It’s always important to keep accurate records of your CPD activities throughout the year, not just at audit time. Regularly updating your CPD log and saving supporting materials ensures you’re always prepared and compliant with your profession’s standards.
How many CPD points or hours are required annually?
The number of CPD hours or points required each year will vary depending on your profession and membership level. For example, members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), CPD are required to complete 120 hours of CPD per three-year cycle, with at least 90 hours being verifiable. Notably, a minimum of 20 hours must be completed each year, with at least 6 hours of ethics training per three-year cycle. For lawyers, the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) are generally required to complete 10 hours of CPD annually, including a mandatory component of at least 1 hour focused on ethics, professionalism, or client care. It’s essential to check with your professional body to ensure you meet the correct requirements and maintain compliance.
Do activities like supervising students or staff count towards CPD?
Supervising students, interns, or junior staff can be a valuable CPD activity especially when it involves mentoring, coaching, or providing structured feedback. Reflection is key and you need to clearly demonstrate how it has contributed to your professional development. These activities can contribute to your professional growth by enhancing leadership, communication, and teaching skills. To qualify as verifiable CPD, however, the activity must be intentional, documented, and aligned with your professional development goals, focussing on the learning that occurred during the supervision process. As with all intended CPD activities, always check with your professional body to ensure that they meet their CPD criteria.
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