* December 08 New PDP Guidance Added - See below *

An electronic template of the PDP is available to download.

All Licentiates on the APC route to membership are required to keep an up-to-date Professional Development Plan (PDP). This will be reviewed at least once every six months, or more regularly in line with changing employment circumstances or when specific objectives have been met.

Professional Development Planning has a number of advantages for Licentiates working towards the APC. The PDP:

• Improves the capacity to plan learning according to personal requirements;
• Promotes effective monitoring and recognition of achievement;
• Encourages learning from experience;
• Encourages increased self-knowledge; specifically, recognition of strengths and required improvements ;
• Establishes a habit of lifelong learning, including a commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD);
• Prepares new graduates for the PDP and CPD requirements of Corporate Members under the Code of Professional Conduct;
• May be sue as a career development tool, for example during appraisals or when applying for a new job.

Guidance on composing a PDP is available in Appendix C of the Guide to the APC and through a new additional resource (see below).

A strong integration between the APC PDP and log book should promote greater success in the APC. While the PDP may reflect specific skills & knowledge development objectives identified in your log book as a result of the work you are undertaking, it may also reflect other objectives that are outside of your current employment framework. For example, it may allow you to explore opportunities for a move to another discipline/work area within planning, and to reflect on your means of achieving this transition.

Your PDP could be a useful starting point for discussions with your APC mentor, (guidance on this element of the APC available). Your mentor should be able to offer advice and guidance on your objectives, including whether they are realistic or sufficiently challenging.

PDP Guidance and Examples

A new APC Advice Note has now been published which takes feedback and comments from Assessors to help you to put together a reflective, robust and useful PDP. Three documents make up the full resource:

APC Advice Note - Professional Development Plans - Making them Work

Example PDP - Good Example, with Comments

Example PDP - Poor Example, with Comments

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

17-Dec-08

Categories:

Assessment of Professional Competence 

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