Kaplan pushes for new CPD regime

The white paper was written to “improve the status quo and lift the standard of CPD across the industry”, the education and training provider said, and said a shift away from the current status quo could promote a culture of “lifelong learning” among advisers.

Kaplan Professional said the CPD system should move away from its current time and compliance-based structure and instead use a points system, as this would allow “learning to be acknowledged on the basis of quality of learning and level of thinking skills”.

“A points system also enables a scale of differentiation between learning activities,” Kaplan Professional added.

The company said this system would use points to determine an individual’s CPD requirements based on learning outcomes rather than hours spent on development.

“We want to change the value of CPD beyond compliance and move towards a lifelong learning mindset, standardise recognition and accreditation models, and recognise innovative CPD delivery methods,” said Kaplan Professional head of CPD Jennifer Hornsey.

“After speaking to many of our clients – corporates, licensees and advisers of all ages and experience – about what they wanted to do with their learning in the future and what they wanted out of CPD, it prompted us to think, this is an opportunity to redefine CPD and instil a culture of lifelong learning.”

Kaplan Professional chief executive Brian Knight said he was “adamant” that the industry would benefit from examining the proposed framework.

“It is an independent framework, educationally sound, forward-looking, and accommodates both current and future delivery methods,” he said.

“Instilling a culture of lifelong learning in the sector and developing a framework to support the industry culture underpins the success of the new professional standards and ultimately guarantees favourable outcomes for consumers.”