The importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for forestry professionals

Authors: Russell Dale
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2025, Issue N.Z.J.For. 69(4) 2025, pp Pages 38-41, Feb 2025
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a key requirement in most professions to ensure members maintain and enhance their skills. CPD is often a prerequisite for achieving and maintaining registration status within these professions. Many professional bodies have the delivery of CPD as a core value proposition to their members. The New Zealand Institute of Forestry (the Institute) encourages all members to undertake regular CPD, and proof of CPD is mandatory for those seeking and maintaining registration under the Institute’s Registration Scheme. However, the Institute’s CPD offerings have been irregular and ad hoc so in 2023 a CPD Committee was established. Its role was to develop and implement a regular and structured programme of CPD to assist members to stay up to date, and to develop new knowledge and skills to help them be more valuable employees and advisers. The new programme was implemented in late 2023, and by the end of 2024 it had delivered over 1,900 person hours of CPD covering a wide range of topics relevant to members. A recent Institute survey of members identified CPD as the second priority out of 16 activity areas for the Institute. Growing the programme, getting more members participating in the CPD activities and increasing the contribution CPD makes to the finances of the Institute are therefore targets in the three-year Strategic Plan adopted by the Institute’s Council in October 2024. Through this programme the Institute is playing a vital role in helping rebuild the reputation of and confidence in forestry in New Zealand.

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