Professional development PDSV

Facilitating the professional development of individuals in line with their career goals and organisational requirements.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

Content and/or readability changes have been made to level 5.
You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

negotiating, reviewing, monitoring and validating each individual's professional development plans
providing professional development advice and support for individuals
identifying appropriate learning and development or career-enhancing activities
liaising with internal and external providers of learning and development
adopting a suitable framework for skills, knowledge and competencies such as SFIA
adopting or defining professional career pathways
creating accreditation and qualification approaches or adopting industry frameworks
evaluating the benefits of continual professional development activities.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...

Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.

Where higher levels are not defined...

Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Professional development: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Assists practitioners with creating personal development plans.

Advises on suitable development activities such as specific learning or experience to be gained.

Monitors practitioners’ continuing professional development records.

Ensures achievements and enhanced capabilities are recorded and referenced to personal and organisational objectives.

Professional development: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Determines development needs for a professional practice area.

Aligns development activities with organisational priorities, learning and development strategies and career pathways.

Guides practitioners in creating development plans. Advises and supports assigned practitioners, ensuring alignment with professional development plans and career opportunities.

Ensures practitioners record evidence of continuing professional development. Contributes to practitioners' performance appraisals, when required.

Professional development: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Develops and defines a professional development framework for one or more professional disciplines.

Determines and maintains organisational development needs in line with business needs and strategic direction. Generates development strategies to achieve required change.

Develops and leads communities of practice, including defining career pathways.

Defines the approach to identifying suitable individuals to provide career advice and support. Monitors progress and evaluates business benefits achieved from continual professional development.

Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.