While everyone’s professional development journey is different, expert guidance and assistance can be invaluable for all, says Cat Goumal, Head of Education and Professional Development at CIHT.
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
Words by John Challen
As new year’s resolutions go, committing to pushing your professional self might sound bold. However, helped by the right people, learning and developing transferrable skills to aid progression is vital to creating career resilience.
“Continuous professional development (CPD) and learning new skills is crucial for the resilience of both the individual and the sector,” explains Cat Goumal. “For the individual, it's a fast-changing world; we often hear that schoolchildren will grow up and go into jobs that haven't yet been invented.
“And we know jobs are changing in transport, so by planning and undertaking CPD our members can make sure that they've got the skills, knowledge and competence to adapt to that change and also to progress their career in the sector. That approach gives them the resilience in their careers, regardless of which path they take.”
When it comes to instilling that resilience, Goumal says CIHT is here to help. “On the CIHT Learn platform, we've got tools to help members plan their CPD, such as a development action plan.
“Here, users can complete a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis about themselves and then use that information to write professional development goals for the year. A useful task for January, reflecting on what went well in the previous year and working out targets for the upcoming 12 months.”
Climate change is also recognised within CIHT’s learning environment, given the challenges around resilience that are emerging and growing across the globe.
“This year, we introduced a requirement for all members to focus some of their CPD on transport decarbonisation,” says Goumal. “That means employers can be confident that members are learning about transport decarbonisation and, therefore, are helping to build resilience in this area.”
Goumal reminds members that CIHT offers a tool to record and track CPD throughout the year, to help people hit their 25-hour annual target.
“Beyond the planning, CIHT Learn offers a lot of free courses around soft skills such as leadership, ethics and wellbeing, which are all vital in the ever-changing world,” she adds. “But we also cover technical subjects, such as our new course on NEC [New Engineering Contracts] case law. Beyond that we have webinars, face-to-face events, podcasts and, of course, TP magazine!”
According to Goumal, professional development is always evolving at CIHT and the end of April 2024 will see the relaunch of the Institute’s professional development framework, which aims to support members from early in their careers through to gaining professional qualifications.
“It's a structured competency framework that will support someone, whether they're going for CEng, IEng, EngTech or CTPP [Chartered Transport Planning Professional],” says Goumal. “We’re strengthening that offering and it will be an online tool where people can record their progress, work with a mentor within their organisation and plan their professional development towards gaining qualifications.”
On the subject of mentors, Goumal insists getting one is “absolutely crucial” to those looking to succeed and progress. “Putting together a portfolio showing that you're competent and having it peer reviewed is a major undertaking.
“That's why we've very much focussed our efforts on mentoring in that area. We've got a mentoring course on CIHT Learn as well as guidance notes and tools that people can use with their mentor or mentee.
“Finally, we would definitely encourage people to sign up as mentors because not only is it an opportunity to give back, but it also helps develop mentoring and coaching skills, which are really useful in the workplace,” she reasons.
Discover the benefits of becoming a mentor within the CIHT.
Start recording your CPD for 2024 and get the most out of the next 12 months.
Start your Development Action Plan to provide focus and structure to achieving your career goals in 2024.
Cat Goumal, Head of Education and Professional Development at CIHT
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
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