The Strategi Institute recognises that there is a lot of anxiety and confusion amongst advisers at the moment about what to do with regard to training for the National Certificate in Financial Services (Financial Advice).
Our advice to you is:
- Get ready by planning your calendar for 2010 and 2011 – some advisers will likely spend up to 20 days throughout the year on learning of some sort; either pre-module study, attending formal modules, or completing post-module assignments. Even those who might receive cross-credits for prior learning may still need to provide a portfolio of evidence, plus undertake the Capstone Knowledge training, and this all takes time.
- Set aside a budget for your development modules – it will be a cost for now, but an investment for the future. Strategi Institute will work with it's clients to help recoup that cost over the longer-term, by helping you to grow your business.
- Don’t panic – 30 June 2011 is currently the cut-off date for advisers to complete any required study, and to become registered as an Authorised Financial Adviser (AFA). Strategi Institute has made a significant investment in infrastructure and staff and has the capacity to assist up to 2000 advisers through the National Certificate in Financial Services (Financial Advice) (Level 5) (NCFS 5).
- Do not make your education decision based upon price. Talk to others within the industry who have undergone training via Strategi Institute and other education providers. They will provide a good guide on which provider may be best for you.
- Consider the total investment in your education. Choose a provider such as the Strategi Institute who is focused on providing high quality facilitators, up to date comprehensive manuals, an operational student portal, helpful assessors and an assessment process that does not involve multi choice, closed book or timed examinations. Strategi Institute assessments revolve around true to life case studies plus open book short answer questions with no time limit. The majority of assignments are completed during course time.
- Many training providers appear to provide cheaper distance learning or residential courses. However, the courses are often of shorter duration and hence require extensive pre-course and post-course work - all of which hinders productivity and revenue generation.
- Strategi Institute courses are structured in such a way that advisers learn not only about the unit standards, but also about Best Practice, compliance processes and ways to increase revenue within their business.
