Professional development may be broadly defined to include any and all educational or training activities that are intended to increase knowledge or improve skills related to staff members’ job functions. Professional development activities may be divided into three broad categories:

• “Brushing up” – refreshing the memory or skills, especially in core competencies (fundamental skills or knowledge required to do a job successfully)
• Keeping current – acquiring knowledge or developing skills to keep up with the changing conditions and job needs (e.g. computer software training)
• Pursuing special interests – acquiring special or advanced knowledge, expertise, or skills related to the job

Human Resources will arrange for professional development opportunities for staff on a regular basis. These programs may be scheduled in conjunction with regular meetings or may be separate events. Topics of these professional development activities will be determined by the department directors with input from staff, but will generally be in the first or second categories described above. All staff members will prepare individual professional development plans which will list their professional development goals and describe activities they intend to pursue for the coming one to three years. Professional development plans should be updated annually and submitted as part of the performance review process.