About the Foundation Certificate in Learning and Development Practice
The Foundation Certificate in Learning and Development Practice (CLDP) provides a firm foundation in all the areas of Learning and Development (L&D), including its impact on business sustainability. It is an essential introduction for L&D professionals. It will help you develop essential skills and give you the confidence to be more effective at work and add value to your HR or training function.
Whether you're just starting out in your career or want to take your career to the next level with a recognised professional qualification, the CLDP will help to build your knowledge and skills.
Who is the Foundation Certificate in Learning and Development Practice for?
It is aimed at aspiring and existing trainers and those looking for a strong grounding in L&D essentials, including those who:
- are aspiring to, or embarking on, a career in L&D
- are working in the field of L&D in a support role and wish to develop their knowledge and skills
- have responsibility for L&D activities and decisions within an organisation without a specialist function
- are contracted as employees or independent consultants within the field of L&D.
The knowledge toward professional membership
CLDP provides the required knowledge towards new Associate professional level of CIPD membership. After successful completion of the certificate, if you can demonstrate that you can apply your knowledge in the workplace, through an assessment of your workplace activities and behaviours, you'll be awarded the new Associate. Find out more about our membership levels here.
What will I get out of it?
Studying the CLDP will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to deliver planned L&D activities, focusing on the importance of creating and maintaining a positive learning environment and the knowledge and skills required for the actual delivery of an activity or session. Including:
- Developing a sound understanding of the knowledge for a professional L&D practitioner.
- Understanding how L&D activities support an organisation’s strategy and assist the achievement of business objectives and how these are shaped by internal and external factors.
- It also provides the required knowledge towards Associate professional level of membership.
What does the CLDP cover?
Core units (all 10 credits):
1. Developing yourself as an effective L&D practitioner
- Understanding the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be an effective L&D or HR practitioner.
- Know how to deliver timely and effective HR services to meet users' needs.
- To be able to reflect on own practice and development needs and maintain a plan for personal development.
2. Understanding organisations and the role of L&D
- Introducing the role of L&D and HR operations within an organisation and environmental context.
- Developing an understanding of L&D and HR activities support an organisation's strategy and assist the achievement of business objectives, and how these are shaped by internal and external factors.
3. Recording, analysing and using L&D information
- Developing understanding of the important contribution that accurate data, whether stored manually or electronically, can make to the L&D or HR function.
- Understanding the legal implications of storing personnel data
- Enabling you to record, analyse and interpret data and information in an appropriate format in support of decision-making, to meet organisation-wide objectives and support L&D solutions for individuals and groups within the organisation.
Optional units
The remaining modules (18 credits) can be chosen from a range of professional areas as mentoring, coaching, plus designing, delivering and evaluating L&D activities. This allows you to build a practical qualification to suit your specific professional needs. Students will be able to gain credits for completed modules and the total number achieved will equate to either an Award or a Certificate or a Diploma at foundation level. This is dependent on your choice of centre.
For a full listing of all units and learning outcomes, please click here (please note that not all centres offer all units).
Total units
CLDP is a foundation-level qualification (equivalent to NVQ/SVQ Level 3). the CLDP comprises of 28 credits.
How is this programme be assessed?
This certificate can be completed by study or competence assessment. The assessment approach used will complement your chosen modules and will differ according to centre.
How long does it take to complete?
Depending on your choice of programme and centre, the qualification will take on average nine months. The qualification is split 50:50 between class based study and self-study learning. A total of 280 study hours are required to successfully complete the CLDP of which 140 hours should be private study. Depending on centre choice, students can start on whichever module is the most convenient to them and will have access to tutors throughout their study on this course. How much does it cost?
Your chosen centre will provide you with information on course fees. The cost of enrolling on the programme isn’t fixed by the CIPD us and can vary from one centre to another.
Support for study success
To benefit from CIPD professional and practical resources in study and work, you should join the CIPD as a Student member. Student members pay a special subsidised joining fee. More about CIPD member benefits
Find a place to study
Search for a CIPD-approved centre
What to do next
Please contact a CIPD-approved centre. You will find a full list of approved centres and programmes on our website. Centres will provide you with further information on costs, start dates and enrolment. Please also join the CIPD as a student member. Student membership is subsidised. Your centre will be able to help you register as a CIPD member online and take full advantage membership.
A Diploma in L&D Practice
If you are interested in further study, you can study the Diploma in L&D Practice. The Diploma in L&D Practice is 37 credits, so an extra 9 credits if you complete the Certificate in L&D Practice.
Awards in Learning and Development Essentials or HR Essentials
Alternatively you can choose to study individual or multiple awards in L&R or HR.