AFA partners with Kaplan on education

The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has announced a partnership with Kaplan Professional to provide formal and practical education to its members.

The new partnership is a result of the AFA conducting a review of its education strategy and a thorough tender process, according to Nick Hakes, head of AFA Campus.

"Advisers should be continually investing in education in order to increase consumer confidence in the advice profession," he said.

"The alignment with Kaplan Professional builds upon the significant reach and capability the AFA has in delivering education solutions that are built around the needs of the modern financial adviser and most importantly their clients."

The partnership aims to create a "seamless pathway" for advisers from diploma level to bachelor degree, masters and AFA accreditation.

Hakes said the last two years had seen an increase in members commencing the Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner designation, with the AFA also having expanded its designations to include Chartered Life Practitioner and Associate Chartered Financial Practitioner.

He added the association would keep evolving its offering to suit the constantly changing financial services environment.

However, Hakes said financial adviser education was not just about technical proficiency and knowledge.

"Advisers also need to know how to apply that knowledge and those skills," he said. "It is critical to get the balance between formal and practical education right."