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" An investigation into farmers' continuing professional development "
Byles, Sharon M.
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Latin Dissertation
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| Record Number
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1098059
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TLets529990
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| Main Entry
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Byles, Sharon M.
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| Title & Author
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An investigation into farmers' continuing professional development\ Byles, Sharon M.
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| College
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The University of Reading
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| Date
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2010
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| student score
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2010
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| Degree
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Ph.D.
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| Abstract
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Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an integral part of most careers, particularly wherepractitioners have to deal with challenges of technological change and advances in knowledgealong with economic, institutional and political uncertainties. CPD is undertaken across a widespectrum of professions, but what it consists of, and how it should be implemented to develop acareer, are aspects of CPD that are not completely understood. Public demand for accountability ofprofessional conduct reinforces the role that CPD plays in maintaining and improving professionaleffectiveness and competencies. CPD is encouraged within professions as the assumption is that itis beneficial and that by undertaking CPD a professional upholds standards. In these respects,farming is no exception. Evidence that this is the case is less obvious and because many of theoutcomes of CPD can only be examined subjectively, rigorous evaluation is problematic.CPD is investigated, first generically, to gain a better understanding of its purpose and nature,looking at systems in place across organisations and how its success is assessed. This researchhas explored patterns of CPD among farmers, focusing on the relationship between CPD and thefarmer and farm business. A multi-method approach began with a review of the existing literaturewhich directed the design of the initial Vocational Training Scheme (VTS) survey conducted in theSouth West of England to obtain baseline information on CPD undertaken by farmers. Statisticalinvestigation of relationships between farmers and farm characteristics and CPD identifiedinfluential factors, from which a model was developed predicting which farmers are likely to actafter the CPD has been undertaken. Cluster analysis was applied to determine two overarchingtypes of farmers: those undertaking 'Dynamic CPD' and 'Occasional CPD', which sub-divided intofour distinct types: Progressive Professionals, Secure Socialisers, Change Followers and ChangeResistant. Each type has homogeneous CPD patterns associated with farm and personalcharacteristics. Subsequently, the Farm Business Survey (FBS) containing large, national data setswas used to test the inferences drawn from the previous part of the research, and answerquestions that could not have been addressed by using the VTS survey alone. The influentialfactors that have been identified include the farmer's level of education, attributes of the farmer'sapproach to management information, features of the CPD undertaken, and farm characteristics,all as linked to patterns of CPD. It is concluded that farmers have CPD inputs comparable to otherprofessions, although initially farmers underestimate their CPD activity. The farmers who are mostactive in CPD take action and apply CPD when making changes to their business. Typically, thesefarmers have a high education level, are from large or intensive farms and their business isinvolved in discussion groups and benchmarking.This research recognises the distinction between CPD as a management process and a trainingprogramme as an event. The reported outcomes and their implications for the farming industryprovides a sound basis for discussion and development of the thinking on CPD for farmers and allthose involved in farmers' CPD.
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The University of Reading
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