As with many professions, it is important to remain up-to-date with the skill-sets and changes that occur over time.

CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses are often offered by respected associations for that profession.

As a topic of discussion, are you a member of a professional association or body in the Education sector? (If so, do you pay the subscription costs yourself, or does your employer pay for these?)

Do you attend/study short CPD courses to enhance/improve your knowledge or work performance?

(If so, do you pay for these CPD courses yourself, or does your employer pay for these?)

If the answer to both the above questions is 'no', do you feel that being a member of a professional body, or studying CPD courses actually benefits you and how you perform in your employment?

As for me, my teaching employers have never paid for either of the above. I self-fund those CPD courses which I feel are relevant to me and my employment goals. I am a member of NAPE (UK National Association for Primary Education).

What about you?

I maintain my IEEE and ACM memberships and at least keep up with the news of new development. I do some of the courses that are available free to members on that site but would only read about 6 or 7 of the books on Safari they offer a year rather than the one a week I did before I retired. I also have done and monitor a couple of the Udacity and Coursera courses to at least keep thinking. This may not be relevent as it is not in the Educational sector but it was the area I worked and taught in.