TCPD: the Update way

What is TCPD?

Trainee continuing professional development, or TCPD, is part of the route to qualification. During the two-year training contract, all trainee solicitors have to complete at least 60 hours of CPD and of these 60 hours, 40 must be specialised trainee CPD taken with an authorised provider.

The Update programme can provide all 40 accredited TCPD hours over four modules and allows trainees to direct their own learning. The course helps to improve performance by encouraging trainees to be client-focused and flexible, as well as helping to equip them for the everyday challenges of being in practice.

The modules encourage trainees to identify their strengths and build on them, set their own learning targets and provide evidence of their accomplishments. This not only provides valuable life skills, but also achievements to add to their CV.

Why choose Update’s TCPD?

Update’s TCPD course is unique because over 60% is made up of distance learning. This means you can choose when and where to complete your learning, and you don’t have to spend a great deal of time out of the office.

Another exclusive feature is that each trainee is assigned a solicitor mentor who will guide them through the course and review their particular skills and general professional development. Each mentor is trained in the Law Society of Scotland’s approach to TCPD and equality and diversity.

Mentors help to maximise learning and development and can, in confidence, help to answer your questions or concerns. They also give constructive feedback throughout the process and provide a formative and summative assessment of overall work.

The course

Each of the modules concentrates on a different area of development. You can choose to undertake all four modules or just a selection of them:

• Module 1: Personal and Professional Development (15 hours)
• Module 2: Ethics (9 hours)
• Module 3: The Client-Solicitor Relationship, Interviewing and Negotiations (13 hours)
• Module 4: Personal, Professional and Commercial Development (13 hours)

There are three training days over the course of the programme.

In module 2, the ethics debate allows trainees to work together to debate and develop their ability to make complex professional choices in relation to professional ethics and standards.

The module 3 training day is based on a medical negligence case study and requires trainees to attend a one-day training session.

During the session they will work in a team and with actors to practise their client facing skills, including interviewing and negotiating.

Module 4’s training day is based on a case study which requires trainees to consider a number of problems facing a law firm, including financial and business matters, inter-partner tensions and a formal complaint. Trainees will work in a team and with an actor to learn about the complexities of running a successful law firm.

The programme runs continuously and can be completed at your own pace. We accept registrations at any point throughout the year.