Professional Development Hours
Professional Development Hours (PDH) are units of learning time that professionals complete to maintain their certifications, licenses, or stay current in their field. Think of them like credits that working professionals earn by attending workshops, taking courses, or participating in training sessions. These hours are often required by employers or professional organizations to ensure staff members keep their knowledge and skills up to date. You might also see them called "Continuing Education Units (CEUs)" or "Professional Learning Units (PLUs)" depending on the industry.
Examples in Resumes
Delivered over 200 Professional Development Hours of training to K-12 teachers
Designed and facilitated PDH workshops for healthcare professionals
Managed tracking system for employee Professional Development Hours and certifications
Typical job title: "Professional Development Coordinators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Professional Development Coordinators
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you design a comprehensive professional development program for a large organization?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that discuss needs assessment, budget management, program planning, multiple delivery methods (online/in-person), tracking systems, and measuring program effectiveness through participant feedback and performance improvements.
Q: How do you measure the ROI of professional development programs?
Expected Answer: Should explain methods for tracking program costs, participant progress, workplace performance improvements, and connecting training outcomes to business goals. Should mention both quantitative and qualitative measurements.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure professional development activities align with organizational goals?
Expected Answer: Should discuss needs analysis, consulting with department heads, reviewing organizational objectives, and creating targeted training plans that support company growth and employee skill development.
Q: What methods do you use to track and verify professional development hours?
Expected Answer: Should mention experience with learning management systems, attendance tracking, certificate verification, and maintaining accurate records for compliance purposes.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's your experience with organizing professional development events?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe basic event planning skills, coordinating with presenters, handling registrations, and managing attendance tracking.
Q: How do you keep track of individual employee professional development requirements?
Expected Answer: Should mention familiarity with spreadsheets or tracking systems, understanding of certification requirements, and basic record-keeping practices.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic event coordination
- Record keeping and tracking
- Communication with participants
- Schedule management
Mid (2-5 years)
- Program development and implementation
- Budget management
- Vendor relationships
- Learning management system administration
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic program planning
- ROI measurement and reporting
- Team leadership
- Curriculum design
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with learning management systems or tracking tools
- Poor understanding of adult learning principles
- Lack of organization and attention to detail
- No experience with compliance requirements or reporting
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