CPD makeover planned



Jo-Anne Bloch
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has announced plans for a revamp of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) rules that will see members encouraged to undertake a wider range of educational options.
FPA chief executive officer Jo-Anne Bloch said the new draft policy represents a new way forward for professional development in the financial services industry.
“This is the first substantial re-write of our CPD policy since the introduction of FSR [Financial Services Reform]. The policy has been designed to encourage members to undertake a more rewarding and a wider range of educational options that will assist them to build on their professional proficiency and status,” Bloch said.
“Not only does our updated CPD policy reflect FPA member requirements to maintain and update their capabilities as required by law, [but more importantly it encourages] the development of additional competencies appropriate to their professional needs.”
According to Bloch, the policy discourages members from earning all their CPD points from one type of activity and will reward quality accredited CPD programs through the allocation of additional points in an effort to broaden its educational scope.
FPA members will be able to provide feedback on the draft policy until October 31, 2008. The policy will be phased in starting from January 2009 and is scheduled to be fully implemented by July.
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