Personal development portfolios are a means by which individuals can focus their training needs analysis skills & behaviour development recommendations by:

• analysing their development needs and develop learning plans
• implementing a learning strategy
• recording their work and learning experiences and opportunities
• assessing the value and transferability of their skills, experiences and achievements

Therefore personal development portfolios constitute an organised, goal driven vehicle designed to enhance competence in the workplace.

The personal development portfolios records can be supplemented with self-assessment questionnaires and evidence of their experiences in applying learning within their place of work, including a personal account of the decisions and actions the personal development portfolios holders have taken in different situations.

Success of personal development portfolios is based on a natural desire that most people have for learning, achievement, recognition and an independent existence.

However, individual holders of personal development portfolios need support and mechanisms to help them develop and apply learning within work.

This can be achieved through linking the use of personal development portfolios to performance review and development systems.