Employability Skills and Professional Development

This document provides a comprehensive guide on employability skills and professional development. It covers key areas, continuous professional development plan, and professional development plan. The importance of communication, problem-solving, and teamworking skills is highlighted for future success.

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
1

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Key areas...................................................................................................................................3
Continuous Professional development plan.........................................................................4
Professional Development Plan...................................................................................................9
Reflection..................................................................................................................................15
2

INTRODUCTION
Continuous professional development is a process that record information about
various knowledge, skills and experience that an individual has gather while performing
various activities. It is used by most of the organisation to analysis and evaluates
learning and development professional skill and knowledge of individual. CPD helps in
growth and development of individual by recording, reflecting and reviewing whatever it
has learn while performing function (Vidyullatha, Usha and Reddy, 2016). Therefore
various aim and objectives of forming CPD for growth and development of individual in
both personal and professional life are as follows:
AIM
Its aim is to develop a plan that describe about various skill and knowledge that
have developed during a period of time in order to achieve desired goals.
OBJECTIVES
 To learn more skill and knowledge in order to perform activities and grow in
future career till 2021.
 To improve capabilities and performance so that different opportunities can
be available in professional career within 1 year.
 To build strong professional reputation by learning through continuous
professional development.
 To improve certain skill and knowledge within limited time period such as 3-4
months.
Key areas
This portfolio covers about various skills, knowledge that I have learnt during my
working experience such as effective communication, team work, leadership style to
effectively manage various employees within firm. It describe about why such skill that
have learnt are important for growth and development of individual. It is analysis form
CPD that communication skill has learnt so it helps in enhancing confidence level to
effectively communicate within other people. Therefore it can be stated that learning
such skill are important for growth of individual in professional life (Ahmed, Refae and
Elkhatib, 2017). Portfolio explains about what an Individual need to achieve next
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because it helps in setting goals and planning strategies so that desired objective are
achieved. It also covers skill that need to be improved in order to grow in professional
career such as ITC skills, problem solving abilities, creative thinking and problem
solving ability. Every employees analysis and evaluates whether an Individual have all
such employment ability skill or not in order to perform various function comfortable and
easily for growth and success of organisation. Thus, Continuous professional
development and professional development plan are made in this portfolio so that
various skills that have learned and improved can be identified for development of
individual and growth in future perspectives.
Continuous Professional development plan
Skill that I have
learnt In
University
Importance of skill for
future development
Next goal to be
Achieved
The way these
goals can be
achieved
Research skill  Research skills are
necessary in order
to collect various
crucial information
that can helps in
growth and
success of
company (Otondo,
2016).
 It also helps in
enhancing
knowledge and
capabilities of
individual as by
continuous
research it get to
know about more
and more
Next goal is to
improve ITC skill
so that I can
effectively conduct
various research
activities using
innovative
technology.
I can achieved
goal by continuous
using innovative
technology such as
computer and
internet to
communicate
message and
search related data
information for
overall
achievement of
goals.
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information and
data related to
various topic.
 It helps in getting
wide varieties of
employment
opportunity as
individual have
capability to bring
innovation by
continuous
research.
Therefore it can be
state that good
research skill helps
in collection of
accurate and
appropriate data
that can be used
by firm to gain
competitive
advantages so
need by every
employer.
Management
skill
 Management skill
is required for to
effectively manage
various physical
and human
resources that are
present within firm
Next goals are to
develop ability to
influence other to
perform specific
activities in
particular manner
(Sharif, 2017). It
Ability to influence
can be developed
by enhancing
personal and soft
skill so that other
people get
influence to follow
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so that it can
achieve its goals.
 It also illustrates
individual
capabilities to bear
large amount of
tension, pressure,
and work load
within limited time
so that it can
complete its task
effectively with
minimum effort and
time.
 In various
professional
individual should
be able to
manage time,
resource in order
to achieve desired
objective and meet
need and demand
of customers. So it
can be stated that
management skill
helps in providing
various job
opportunities in
future career.
helps me to easily
motivate other to
work in appropriate
manner or as team
for common goals.
steps as per my
instruction.
Building close
relationship with
other people by
effectively listening
to their problem
and grievance also
helps in influencing
people.
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Written
communication
skill
 Written
communication is
important in order
to exchange
information through
email within firm to
all employees so
that they can
perform various
activities and help
in growth of
company.
 Written
communication
should be simple
and words that
have similar words
need to be avoid
so that other
employees within
firm can
understand content
and work
accordingly.
 It also helps in
improving focus
and increasing
creativity skill that
can be used for
future growth
(Scott and et.al.,
I have planned to
improve my oral
communication
skill so that I can
effective
communicate my
ideas, views,
opinion to other
people. As oral
communication is
also important with
written such as
body language,
gesture and
posture for
effective
understanding.
I have planned to
achieve goal by
continuous
communicate with
other people. I
have also planned
to use effective
body language and
gesture so that
information can be
understood in
correct sense to
other people (Bell,
2018).
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2019).
 It helps in
generating new
ideas, innovation
and improve
vocabulary skill to
effectively
communicate with
different
Interpersonal
skill
 It helps in building
strong with other
people and work
as team for
achievement of
desired objectives
and goals.
 It is also stated that
person that have
good interpersonal
skill are successful
in both personal
and professional
life (Meyers,
2017).
 Such people have
ability to manage
their emotion and
understand
grievance and
problems of other
people so that they
Next objective of
me is to develop
ability to work as
team so that I can
work easily in
corporate office
that has large
number of
employees.
I can achieve this
set goal by
communicating
with more and
more people and
exchanging each
other feeling and
views in order to
work as team for
common goals.
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can easily build
strong relationship
with other and
work in coordinate
manner in firm
towards goals.
Therefore
interpersonal skill
learnt by me helps
in effective growth
and development.
Professional Development Plan
Skills Preparation/Resources Conducting Recordin
g
Measuring
Communication
skills:
To improve
communication
skills so that
become good
communicator.
Join communication
classes, reading books
of good journals,
engage with senior
authorities, to attend in
seminars, develop
listening skills.
I join
communication
class to improve my
communication
skills where trainer
support me to give
direction to make
eye contact while
communicating with
people which is
important part of
communication
(Choate and et.al.,
2019). Even trainer
helps me to
coordinate my body
2 weeks
To measure my
communication
skills attends a
seminar by me. The
seminar is based on
the communication
skills so I attend
that to analyse my
skill. I give
presentation in the
seminar hall where I
make my eye
contact with overall
people and
coordinate my body
language while
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language with my
speaking by guiding
me again and
again. In addition I
read successful
communicator
books to lead
effectiveness in my
speaking. I listen
several online video
of good
communicator so
that I develop good
listening because it
is more important
for the
communication
when a person has
good listening skills
then easy to
understand other
people and can
communicate in that
manner which leads
effectiveness in
people.
speaking. Then I
gather feedbacks
from my seniors
and other people
who were the part
of seminar. Senior
authorities praises
for performance
and communication
skills when I try to
resolve people
queries which they
ask regarding topic.
I collect feedbacks
from my opponents
as well they also
praise about my
body language and
communication
skills. Thus, I
improve my
communication
skills because I
know it will help me
for future.
Problem
solving:
To be become
good problem
solver
There are several
strategies: Identify the
problem, to get
creative solution, join
online class, to solve
I join class to
improve my
problem-solving
skills where trainer
gives several tactic
3 weeks
To analyse my
problem-solving
skills, I join a
seminar which is
specially organized
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puzzle, read good
journals book.
to resolve the
problem when ever
need. Even they
assigns task in
class along with
deadline which
improves my
mindful skills while
solving issues. I
read mysterious
book so that easy to
analyse critically
and gives better
solution. Even I
solve puzzle-based
question as well to
improve my
problem-solving
skills (Dalton and
et.al., 2018). I
analyse my
previous problem
which I resolved
then develop simple
but creative
solution. Thus, I
work on my
problem-solving
skills so that easy to
achieve expected
outcomes.
to give challenging
task. Me and my
friends participates
in the seminar.
Where senior
authority assigns
several task along
with deadline. I
resolve by using my
skills which I
improve while
taking classes.
Even I apply
several techniques
as well which
trainer gave in
class. When result
announce by senior
authority I get good
result which excites
me. I gather
feedbacks from
other participants
who attended in
seminar. Thus, I
improve my
problem-solving
skills.
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Teamworking:
To become
good team
worker
Take online class, join
training classes,
clearly outlines roles
and responsibility,
reading books etc.
I join training class
to understand how
to work in
collaboration.
Where trainer gives
direction to how to
communicate with
people to work in
team. Even they
give fewer
techniques which
helps while working
in team. I want to
become a good
team worker so that
I can inspire people
to work in team. I
read books of good
team leader which
helps me to
understand several
things like how to
act as ideal team
worker. I enlists
roles and
responsibility of
good team worker
so that I can focus
on the weak area
for improvement.
Thus, I improve my
1 week I participate in event
show which is
based on the trade
show. Initially I
defined my roles
and responsibility
for the trade show
so that easy to
perform each role
well form. I assign
task in team based
on the skills and
encourage them to
work in team and
supports their team
member also to
give more efforts to
coordinate with
team. I resolve
issues which occurs
in team member
like they unable to
coordinate with
team due to
miscommunication.
Then I resolve their
issues by
communicating
effectively and
make them
comfortable to
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skill (Power, 2017). shares their views
to me. Overall I
handle overall team
member and leads
improvement in
their teamworking.
Later on, I gather
feedbacks about my
feedbacks from
seniors and team
member who
control by me. I get
good feedbacks
because everyone
praises about my
teamworking skills.
Thus, I measure my
skills because I
know it will help me
in future while
performing job at
workplace.
ICT skills:
To be improved
ICT skills
Take free online
computer course, read
good journals book,
take training class
(Whatley, 2019).
I join training class
to improve
computer
knowledge. The
reason behind is
that I have good
skills to work in
excel and other
computer program
2 weeks To measure my ICT
skills, attend web
conferencing.
Where I get
different task along
with time deadline
like prepare excel
chart, to interpret
chart and graph
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but I want to
become expert in
computer so that I
can perform each
task in the computer
without coming any
crease line on my
head. Trainer also
helps me to improve
my skills by
assigning
challenging task
where I can apply
my knowledge and
get on hand
practices. Even I
take online free
computer course
classes to improve
my weak area like
research skill. I read
good journals book
which gives a lot of
knowledge about
computer program.
These resources
support me to
improve my skill.
within 15 minute, to
prepare slides
within 10 minutes. I
complete overall
tasks which I get in
web conferencing
then check my
result I get good
scores. Even I get
appreciation from
senior authority for
efficiency and good
ICT skills. I take
feedback from my
trainer as well about
my performance
within classroom
they praise about
my skills. To
improve my ICT
skills have reason
such as I know It is
important skills
which highly require
in current and will
need to match with
future scenario.
Thus, this skills
keep me ahead
from other people.
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Reflection
From the above Portfolio it can be illustrated that there are various skill,
knowledge that I have learnt while studying at University such as effective written
communication that is important for future growth and development. Written
communication is a valid and official source in order to exchange information in
professional life. At the same time it helps me to improve my vocabulary to use
appropriate words so that no confusion can be create regarding the information
exchanged. As per my point of view management skill are also important in professional
life to perform different activities. It helps in effective utilisation of resources and
available time in order to get best output so such employees are required by every
employer (Bremner, 2018.). I have also learnt that for gaining maximum opportunity in
future career or professional person have to continuous develop new skill and
knowledge. To be a successful professional a person should learn from his previous
working experience, set goals, formulate strategy and continuous monitor its goals and
steps that are taken for growth in future. I have learnt ability to set goals and frame
various strategies in order to achieve desired goals and objectives. At the same time it
increases my knowledge about various skills, experience that are needed to perform
different activities. I have also learnt research skill that helps in enhancing my
knowledge to collect and gather different information which is useful in my future career.
It also helps me to understand various skill that I need to improved in order to build
strong reputation in professional life. Personal development plan helps me to identify
the time frame in which I will able to develop specific skill and various steps that I have
to take in order to improve skills. It also illustrate about various measure that I can take
in order to control and monitor activities that need to be performed for achievement of
desired objectives. I have planned to continuously develop my skill, knowledge through
working experience and preparing CPD plan. Practical experience helps in enhancing
academic knowledge and increase professional skill, knowledge to perform wide range
of activities and function (Knox and Stone, 2019.). Individual by continuously learning
new skill can easily adapt to various changes in future and gain competitive advantages
in term of other people. Such continuous professional development helps me to work
on my existing skill and knowledge to get more and more opportunities in future career.
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Therefore it can be stated that CPD and PDP plan are useful for gaining professional
competence by continuous reviewing and monitoring learning experience of particular
period.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Ahmed, A. E., El Refae, G. A. and Elkhatib, S. M., 2017. Integrating Employability
Competencies: A framework for accounting education. International Journal of
Research in Business, Economics and Management, 1(1). pp.135-144.
Bell, R., 2018. The impact and support of constructivist learning environments to
develop entrepreneurial and enterprising graduates to enhance
employability (Doctoral dissertation, University of Huddersfield).
Bremner, P. A., 2018. The gap between degree outcomes and employability skills.
Choate, J and et.al., 2019. A professional development program with an assessed
ePortfolio: A practical solution for engaging undergraduates with their career
development in large student cohorts. Journal of Teaching and Learning for
Graduate Employability. 10(2). pp.86-103.
Dalton, R and et.al., 2018. Exploring How Women and Men Prioritize Employability
Skills for Communication, Decision Making and Self-Management. NACTA
Journal. 62(4).
Knox, J. and Stone, M., 2019. Embedding employability skills for the leg
Meyers, B., 2017. The Development of Employability Skills Through an Experiential
Learning Approach. Union University.
Otondo, F., 2016. Music technology, composition teaching and employability
skills. Journal of Music, Technology & Education, 9(3). pp.229-240.
Power, J., 2017, July. Developing employability skills through interdisciplinary industry
challenges. HEA Annual Conference.
Scott, F. J and et.al., 2019. Empowering students by enhancing their employability
skills. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 43(5). pp.692-707.
Sharif, A., 2017, June. Perceptions, pedagogy, employability: from survey indicators to
improving skills. In 14th Enhancement Themes Conference.
Vidyullatha, T., Usha, N. and Reddy, K. S., 2016. Fundamental Elements of
Employability Skills. International Journal Of Multifaceted And Multilingual
Studies, 3(5). pp.42-46.
Whatley, J., 2019. Professional Development Within Second Year Computing Degree
Programmes. In Employability via Higher Education: Sustainability as
Scholarship (pp. 429-440). Springer, Cham.
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