What is the difference between personal and professional learning?

Personal and professional development are lifelong processes of learning that encompass a broad range of activities, aimed at ensuring that employees and individuals have the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to do their work effectively and competently, as well as enhance their own personal growth and development.

In this CPD article, we will be discussing what is meant by professional learning, the difference and connection between personal and professional learning, and examples of professional learning within the workplace.

What is meant by professional learning?

Professional learning usually involves training for individuals who are actively taking steps to get ahead in their career and become more skilled in their field of work and industry. When businesses invest into employee training, employees have the opportunity to pursue their professional long-term goals, as well as take their new knowledge and skills into their current day-to-day responsibilities.

Examples of professional learning can include a variety of structured activities, such as courses, online & eLearning programs, conferences, workshops and seminars or other formal events. There is more explanation of professional learning and the different types of CPD here.

Is there a difference between personal and professional learning?

Personal and professional development are similar in the sense that they both aim to enhance existing skill levels and knowledge, however there are some key differences between the focus of these learning types.

Professional learning typically involves enhancing your necessary skills to carry out your role and perform as effectively as possible within the workplace. This means the development you are making is either related to your current job role, or the role you want to do next. Professional development will continue throughout an individual’s working life as changes are always happening in businesses and industry, meaning it is essential to continually be developing new skills and techniques that you can use in your career.

On the other hand, personal learning is more focused on the individual themselves and their self-improvement, rather than primarily focusing on business needs and requirements. Personal development is all about improving a person's own talents and potential in daily life, both inside and outside of the workplace. Some common examples of personal and professional development skills include:

Communication

Communication is useful both personally and professionally, however this type of learning method is more focused toward personal development. This is because although communication skills are useful within the workplace, communication is more of a generalized skill that you can use daily rather than just in your job role.

Management Training

Management training is more so professional development rather than personal learning. Having the skill and understanding how to manage the team you are in charge of is a valuable skill which you can use within your professional life.

Keeping a Journal

Keeping a journal is linked closer to personal development. This is where you are able to reflect and keep observations of your own self to become more aware of what you need to do in order to improve. However, recording and reflecting is also a key part of professional learning and the CPD Cycle, which you can find out more about here.

Why is professional learning important?

Continuing your professional learning throughout your career can put you one step ahead of your peers. A large number of people are not actively investing in career development as they may not see this as a necessity within their job role, however, professional learning and ongoing development can benefit both businesses and employees in the short and long term.

The job market is a competitive one, and any advantage you can get over your fellow applicants should always be considered. Continuing Professional Development and the ability to showcase learning and skills on your CV will not only display your dedication and expertise, but will help your CV stand out from the crowd (read our previous article Is CPD good for my CV). Some common reasons for undertaking professional learning opportunities include:

Improved efficiency – Professional learning offers the ability to learn new skills, and it also allows staff the opportunity to learn from one another in the workplace. As other professionals share experiences, colleagues can see this as a way to pick up new ideas and perspectives they may have not come across before.

Confidence – Professionals will have more confidence if they are developing professionally, as they will not feel as though they are missing important skills within their job role. This can lead to higher degree of engagement and productivity.

Succession – It is beneficial for a business to provide adequate training to those already in the organisation. If promotion opportunities arise, employers may not have to hire from outside the business, instead they will have the ability to hire internally. Promoting a long standing employee is a great way to cut down the knowledge gaps that are inevitable when hiring from outside the business. It also gives greater confidence to employees that the job they are doing has progression opportunities.

Is there a connection between personal growth and professional development?

Personal growth and professional development are connected for obvious reasons and work in similar ways. Essentially they can help individuals to assess their own skills and qualities, picking up new skills and learning experiences to use within the workplace or personal life over the course of a lifetime.

Another reason that personal growth and professional development go hand in hand is because they both allow an individual to focus on short and long term goals in order to maximise their potential. Through their own improvement, they can be proactive in bringing job related goals and/or personal goals to life which will likely give a better sense of direction and self-awareness.

Examples of professional learning in the workplace

Whether an individual has been employed for a few months or a few years, all people can benefit from ongoing professional learning and training. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) does not solely increase workplace knowledge, but can include a variety of hard and soft skills too. 

Effective professional training and development typically consists of both formal and informal learning activities. Some opportunities of professional learning in the workplace can include:

• Taking on larger projects, managing a large team – Stepping out of comfort zones and taking on bigger challenges.
• Taking on a role in order to gain skills, knowledge and specific experience.
• Being proactive in areas such as public speaking, communication, or giving a presentation can help others with both professional and personal learning.
• Gaining qualifications or undertaking training courses, workshops, and CPD Certified events that can put you ahead of peers and open up more opportunities.

How to record your professional learning and development

You can keep your CPD training records in whatever format works for you. Some professionals will use their employer’s personal development plan, but if this isn’t available then it is down to you to log your activities and progress. (Learn how to log and record your professional learning and development).

You could choose to keep a binder or folder of any CPD related documents such as certificates and notes. Understandably, most choose to keep an electronic record. The myCPD Portal is a free online record tool where you can log all professional learning activities in one simple place. You can store all of your CPD certificates for each learning activity that offers one. This makes it easier when you need to reflect on the training you have done throughout the year.

Where to find professional learning courses and events

The CPD Certification Service is the world's leading and largest CPD accreditation organisation, with over 25 years’ experience supporting certified CPD providers across all industry sectors. On our website, there are thousands of CPD courses and educational events that have been reviewed and approved to help professionals gain the necessary skills needed in their industry. To find out more about a particular CPD course listed on our website, you can click on each course and there is an enquiry form that will be sent directly to the relevant CPD provider.

We hope this article was helpful. If you provide training courses, workshops, eLearning and virtual events that may be suitable for Continuing Professional Development, please contact our team to discuss in more detail.