Running CPD’s at a higher cost does not in my view reflect that such CPD’s are better quality or that they contain substantial and relevant content needed by agents to work through such complex immigration framework. I have been a solicitor for 8 years and worked in migration industry since 2009. Those of us who have been in the industry long enough remember how simple it was to lodge a 457 nomination which virtually contained everything required to for a favorable assessment on the form. There were fewer submissions, no caveats, no begging and pleading with the Department.
In the year 2018, the rules are different, our industry has changed, and immigration became complex, very complex. The complexity of our immigration framework requires diligent training and ongoing continuing professional support from those who know and understand this framework, those who can offer practical advice and those who are able to pass the knowledge to new and existing agents, in other words, being able to deliver a quality CPD session. It is an unfortunate over simplification to state that running CPD sessions at higher prices guarantees quality and substance.
I was born and raised in Tajikistan and moved to Australia as a refugee at age of ten. I went to a public school in the western suburbs which meant that my education was government funded. I started my journey in Australia without any prior knowledge of English or Australian culture. I did at the time have a great support system which included my family and my teachers at school. I wanted to study law but given my socio-economic background the odds were not in my favour. Nonetheless, I persevered to achieve my goal. My school had quality teachers and they were receiving countless offers to leave the public sector and work in private schools. Nonetheless, they stayed because to them, it was not about the money, it was about the value of education and the ability to provide quality education to all students. Their effort paid off as many of us went on to achieve our goals and pursue our dream careers. From very early stages of my life, I learnt that better education does not necessarily come from a higher cost.
The lesson continued when I started university. This time, pursuing my dreams came at a very expensive price (I did receive a double degree, and for that I am grateful). It was an interesting transition into university life. The campus was nice, the facilities were also nice, yet the quality and delivery of education was inconsistent and this continued up until my graduation. This confirmed my earlier realisation that paying a substantially higher price for choosing my preferred university did not automatically result in consistent quality and substance across the board.
There are quality CPD presenters in our profession today and I am privileged to be a part of this cohort. To this day, I am very cautious to buy into something based on price. CPD sessions should be ranked on engagement, practicality, advice as well as in depth of knowledge of the content. Presenters such as myself certainly don’t use money as the motivating factor to deliver quality sessions. We do it out of passion for the industry and desire to pass on the knowledge across to all cohorts.
We are fortunate to practice in profession where there is no longer a CPD monopoly and lack of choice which previously in becoming complacent with choice of CPD provider. Money may be the means, but it is not the end.