Professional and personal development is the ongoing process of expanding, shaping and improving skills, knowledge and interests to improve your abilities and effectiveness. 

Developing skills and knowledge will enable you to move ahead to the next stage in your career, but also to expand your breadth of skills, so that you become more expert in your current role. 

The cycle of learning will continue throughout your career through courses; your apprenticeship; professional qualification study, training from your employer and self-directed learning. 

Here you will find a range of resources to help you to consider and shape your learning journey. 

Learning to stretch our thinking skills is integral to accelerating our development. This is a really important part of the learning process, and gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and show progression in your Apprenticeship.

Here are two challenges for you to pick from- should you choose to accept, this will help you to develop critical thinking, evaluation skills and encourage creativity.

Challenge 1

Identify an area where you need to develop. Analyse your current strengths and weaknesses in this area and write a SMART objective to help you develop further in this area. Discuss your reflection with your Talent Coach and agree on an action plan to take the next development steps. Don't forget to add this to your development plan so you can measure when this has been achieved.

Challenge 2

Evaluate the professional development policy and programme within your business. Analyse the strengths and any areas for improvement.  What recommendations would you make to improve the policy and support?  Justify your recommendations.  Discuss your recommendations with your Talent Coach for some feedback. 

Update your Learning Journal in OneFile with your evaluation and your reflections ready to discuss with your Talent Coach at your next review.