The CPD Register investigates UK CPD accreditation standards to ensure quality and transparency

As industries evolve and new technologies emerge, professionals must continually update their skills to stay relevant. However, the growing reliance on CPD to boost careers has raised concerns over the legitimacy and quality of accredited courses.

To address these concerns, The CPD Register has launched an in-depth investigation into CPD accreditation standards in the UK.

The investigation aims to provide greater transparency for both consumers and providers of CPD courses, with a specific focus on identifying substandard practices within the accreditation process. 

This is particularly important as the number of CPD Accreditation Service Providers has increased significantly in recent years, raising questions about the consistency and credibility of the accreditation being granted.

Understanding the need for investigation

The CPD Register’s initiative comes at a time when CPD consumers are increasingly questioning the legitimacy of some training providers and the quality of their courses. Despite the importance of CPD in career advancement, many professionals have expressed concerns about the lack of regulation in the accreditation process.

Accreditation plays a key role in the CPD sector, assuring learners that their training meets established standards. However, with no central regulatory body overseeing the industry, it has become difficult for consumers to distinguish between high-quality, well-accredited courses and those that fall short of professional expectations.

The investigation by The CPD Register will span 12 months and will gather input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including CPD consumers, employers, and CPD training providers. 

The CPD Register hopes to achieve several key objectives through this research:

• Empowering consumers

• Supporting providers

• Enhancing accreditation services

Chris Aitken, Founder of The CPD Register, explained in an exclusive statement to ETIH: 

“This first of its kind research project, will investigate the significance of CPD Accreditation and how it is perceived, with the aim of supporting CPD Consumers having a better understanding of what is ‘Accredited’.  Fundamentally, helping to raise the standards of CPD and the courses CPD Consumers enrol upon.”