There are two main reasons for keeping up-to-date:

• It ensures you are able to continue to do your current job competently.
• It keeps you employable so that you can make successful job changes.

The National Occupational Standards have been developed for the sector and are a good way to check you meet the required standards of competence. It will help you to identify strengths and gaps. Your company may have similar standards in place to meet its own needs.

It is important to stay motivated in what you do, as the desire to improve will not only help develop your own skills, it will also give your business the edge over its competitors. Your own motivation might include:

• preparing for a new project which needs you to update your knowledge and skills
• a change in legislation which requires you to become certificated
• a personal desire to improve or to achieve the required indsutry standard.

At times, you will need to produce evidence that you are up-to-date. This might be for an application to a professional institution, to meet professional development (CPD) requirements to continue in membership with a professional institution, or for a job application.