The AFA is asking for adviser feedback as it aims to redefine education pathways as part of a project canvassing industry views and practices on what is applicable and beneficial for advisers and clients.
The Association stated the research would create industry-led evidence of what education pathways for advisers should look like.
This would include technical and communication skills, interpersonal qualities and personal attributes outlined in previously published white papers published from the AFA and the Beddoes Institute.
The AFA will conduct the research in conjunction with The Beddoes Institute which has already begun structured interviews with senior management of advice licensees, advisers, consumers and industry groups, according to Beddoes Institute’s Dr Adam Tucker.
The research will use a process of structured dialogue among a panel of experts to reach an agreed framework with the second phase of the research to include a series of online voting on the draft framework elements by an online expert panel with each participant responding to a number of survey covering key elements.
Tucker said advisers, regulators, academics and professional associations would also be canvassed to ensure the draft framework met the needs of the advice sector with the aim of creating an educational framework built by those who had to work within it.
Campus AFA General Manager, Nick Hakes said “This is an important inflection point for our profession. It needs the voice of advisers to help shape the profession we want to become.”
“There has never been a better opportunity for adviser knowledge and expertise…and the time to start an adviser education revolution is now,” Hakes said.
“Our research with The Beddoes Institute will ultimately produce a pragmatic new approach that recognises all other frameworks in our market,” Hakes also said adding the new Financial Advice Standards & Ethics Authority was an opportunity to re-imagine an education pathway that reflects what consumers value from their financial advisers.
The research is being supported by Asteron Life and Kaplan Professional and will result in a white paper and implementation kit for licensees due out in October 2017.
The AFA is also calling on advisers to participate in the panel and a participation form can be accessed here.
