This research aimed to contribute to the professional development of community learning and development (CLD) practitioners. It found that early and mid-career CLD practitioners learn primarily through their work with communities, collaboration with colleagues, and reflection on their experiences. Key factors that affect learning included opportunities to broaden their experience beyond their job duties and working alongside more experienced colleagues. The research identified several recommendations to further support CLD practitioners' continuing professional development, such as enhancing collegiality, sharing good practices, and developing appropriate training for CLD managers.

1. Collegial space and continuing professional development in community learning and development John Bamber and Lyn Tett University of Edinburgh

7. Actual vs. preferred balance of time - mid-career 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Face-to-face - individuals Face-to-face - groups Managing staff Networking Administration Planning & reflecting Funding applications Quality assurance Professional development Balance of time actual balance of time preferred balance of time

8. Ongoing formal procedures to discuss and evaluate your work 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Forms of monitoring and evaluation Access to manager(s) to discuss issues Access to non-line management supervisors Meetings with colleagues to discuss-evaluate work Arrangements with participants to discuss and evaluate work Percentage early career mid-career

9. How easy is it for you to determine your own learning needs and development? 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 very easy somewhat easy neither easy nor difficult somewhat difficult very difficult Percentage early career mid-career

11. Table 2 - Learning with and through colleagues Getting feedback from colleagues on your work 97 Learning with and through colleagues % of responses Asking questions of others to improve your understanding, knowledge or skills Sharing ideas through discussion with colleagues and then implementing them 95 Observing and listening to others and participating in activities together 90 Working alongside colleagues to tackle a challenging task 84 Collaborating with more experienced colleagues on a particular task 78 75 Informal alliances with like-minded colleagues 70 Informal mentoring from a more experienced colleague 43 Other 9

12. Reflection as a means of learning % of responses Transforming your existing knowledge, skills and understanding to fit a new situation 91 Solving problems and reflecting on the experience by yourself 88 Reflect on past experiences/incidents & devising ways of making them more effective 87 Identifying new areas of work that would provide learning opportunities 85 Other 3