Our services in insurance training

ASSESSMENT

Whilst online assessment and examination can be a useful way of determining your staff member's underpinning/technical knowledge, assessment of competence ideally requires assessment in actual working conditions.

Question: Are your staff competent?

This is what the Financial Services Authority stated in CP194

"An externally verifiable examination forms an element in the assessment of competence of an individual. However, examinations are just one element of the assessment of competence. We are equally concerned that employees possess the appropriate skills and can apply both knowledge and skills in practice. Attaining competence is important but once this is achieved a firm must ensure that it has appropriate arrangements to ensure that individuals maintain their competence."

The Financial Services Authority, (FSA) has delegated determination of appropriate qualifications and standards to the Financial Services Skills Council, (FSSC.) Using the National Occupational Standards for General Insurance, as determined by the FSSC, our qualified assessors are able to assess the competence of your staff as they carry out their daily routine.

Question: What are National Occupational Standards?

National standards have been developed by the industry as a benchmark for best practice. The standards are developed, maintained and updated by the Financial Services Skills Council, in conjunction with industry practitioners. These standards will form part of the National Standards Framework being developed across the entire financial services industry. National standards define the competencies needed for different jobs. They describe 'can do', not just 'might be able to do'. Within the financial services industry there are agreed standards for

• Providing financial services
• General insurance
• Life offices
• Providing financial advice
• Pensions management
• Investment administration

The industry also uses standards developed for other sectors - e.g. for call centre operations, customer service and administration.

The Skills Council is a standards setting body. It is recognised by government as the authoritative body for setting objective standards for the knowledge and skills required by the sector - the Industry Performance Standards.

If required, assessment can lead to a recognised level 2 or 3 qualification in general insurance. In addition we are able to offer assessment leading to other level 2 or 3 qualification, e.g. customer service. It is difficult to provide other acceptable means of assessing your staff's capabilities in a real time situation.

STOP PRESS !

Goverment funding may be available for courses leading to vocationally recognised qualifications,

please contact us for details