Professional development

Professional development refers to vocational education with specific reference to continuing education of the person undertaking it in the area of employment, it may also provide opportunities for other career paths.

Vocational education has been related to specific skills, usually tied to immediency of getting or retaining employment. Professional development has been as moving beyond that.

Generic professional development may be oriented to generic life skills or general personal coaching.

More specifically professional development encompasses the developing of skills relevant to the one's current occupation, for example, leadership training for managers and training for specific techniques or equipment for technicians, metal workers, medical practitioners and engineers.

For many occupations there is a provision for accreditation tied to "continuing professional education" and proving competence.