Mission statement

The Learning a Living programme aims to provide high quality continuing professional development (CPD) for Occupational Psychologists and those working in related fields, which incorporates opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking.

The objectives of Learning a Living Workshops are to:

• Address specific development needs identified by Division of Occupational Psychology members;
• Enhance the existing skills of any Practitioner as part of an on-going process of continuing professional development;
• Assist Division of Occupational Psychology members achieve Practitioner status;
• Develop new knowledge or skills in the field of Occupational Psychology.

Letter from the Chair of the DOP

Dear Colleagues,

The annual Learning a Living programme is a long-standing commitment from the Division of Occupational Psychology to support your development. I’m confident that you will find something in the programme that will both interest you and be of benefit to your every day practice.

The sessions are designed to be thought-provoking, current and provide you with transferable skills. As practitioner psychologists, we are always under scrutiny to provide advice and tools that add value to our customers’ working lives and environments. In doing so those who commission the use of occupational psychology services will hopefully re-commission and even become our champions. Ensuring our skills and knowledge are up-to-date is one way to achieve this - as is developing our network across the Occupational Psychology world. Attend a Learning a Living session in 2010 to help you meet these aims.

This does not underestimate the challenge many of us face in devoting enough space in our lives for development activities - or to convince other people in our organisations of the imperative. However, if your professional work is to benefit, the time you take to identify how you will be able to meet the expectations you set is an important part of the continuing professional development process.

Alongside our professional commitment to self-development we also must commit to it as part of our registration with the British Psychological Society, but also to meet the requirements of our regulator the Health Professions Council. All users of the services provided by Occupational Psychologists need assurance that the Occupational Psychologist they consult is appropriately qualified and has undertaken the necessary steps to maintain their competence to practise.

We are always looking for new things to add to the portfolio of development activities offered by the Division. If you have any ideas please get in touch at dopchair@bps.org.uk. I am also personally very interested to increase the representation of different groups of members on the DOP’s Working Groups - one of which produces Learning a Living - no matter what your employment context or area of Occupational Psychology I would value your contribution to delivering high quality services to DOP members.

I wish you well and a positive learning experience.

Antonia Dietmann, C.Psychol,
Registered Occupational Psychologist

Chair 2010 Division of Occupational Psychology