New Analysis: A Comprehensive Examination of Continuous Professional Development Educators 

The recently released analysis, Existing Practices for the Recruitment and Professional Development of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Educators, developed under the PIQET project, delves into the context of CPD and sheds light on professionals delivering in-service CPD opportunities. This group, which the consortium refers to as CPD educators, is often overlooked, though they hold a pivotal role in promoting the quality of early childhood services.

Navigating through the myriad roles, profiles, and positions held by CPD educators, the publication aims to unravel the intricate practices and challenges encountered across diverse country contexts and organizations. Ultimately, the publication aims to reinforce strategies surrounding the selection, recruitment, and sustained professional development of CPD educators.

Existing Practices for the Recruitment and Professional Development of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Educators, include several key sections which aim to define CPD, frame the CPD of CPD educators and provide pathways for their professionalization.

Methodology and limitations

ISSA conducted a survey among ISSA member organizations providing CPD opportunities, involving 22 entities across Europe and Central Asia, focusing on varied definitions, recruitment, and developmental practices for CPD educators. In-depth analyses in Slovenia (conducted by Educational Research Institute in Slovenia) and Croatia (conducted by Open Academy Step by Step) also provided localized insights. Despite offering an overarching view of CPD practices across regions, the analysis acknowledges variations in national CPD policy maturity and the contextualization of practices. The analysis emphasizes the need to take existing practices and examples as inspiration and reference points, while remaining aware of the current realities of a CPD educator’s specific contexts.         

Conclusions and recommendations:

This comprehensive analysis yielded crucial findings and recommendations regarding CPD educators, accentuating the employment of various recruitment strategies, offering enriched developmental support, and ensuring quality assurance amidst contextual complexities. Recommendations emphasize diversifying and elevating support, refining evaluation and monitoring methods, upholding stringent quality principles, and meticulously crafting CPD opportunities that address distinct and contextual challenges to navigate the multifaceted landscape of CPD.

This publication substantiates the discourse surrounding CPD, highlighting the path towards recognizing and elevating the vital role of CPD educators, thus improving the quality of available CPD opportunities.

You can access this analysis, which can serve entities and professionals interested in learning more about the situation for CPD educators and providers, here.