Following its successful launch late last year, New Zealand financial advisers are continuing to embrace Massey University’s Certificate in Business Studies (Financial Services Pathway). This qualification is equivalent to the New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5) [Version 2], the benchmark qualification advisers need to complete to meet new requirements that came into force in March 2021. The purpose-built programme is delivered in partnership with Kaplan Professional, Australia’s largest provider of financial services education. “It provides New Zealand advisers with a unique opportunity to gain their qualification from a leading education institution like Massey University,” said Massey Business School International and Strategic Partnerships Director Dr. Jeff Stangl. “We are committed to delivering a new way of learning to advisers that combines Massey University’s academic prestige and rigour with Kaplan Professional’s commercial and online expertise. “The New Zealand-centric curriculum has been designed by a hand-picked team of industry practitioners and subject matter experts to bring to the market a cutting-edge online learning experience like no other,” he said. On completion of the qualification, advisers will be able to continue their learning with a tailored 12-month continuing professional development (CPD) subscription to Ontrack, Kaplan Professional’s market-leading continuing education platform. Also included in the programme is access to up to eight financial services-focused short courses (depending on specialisation) for advisers to deepen their technical knowledge and enhance their skill set. “We really believe in helping advisers feel they are empowered to extend their capabilities beyond their initial qualification and keep up-to-date with the continually-evolving industry trends relevant to various roles throughout their career,” said Kaplan Professional CEO Brian Knight. “Advisers maintaining their CPD is a fundamental requirement of the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services. “Their Ontrack subscription will provide them with in-depth, timely and topical content delivered through innovative and engaging digital modules on a monthly basis. “Each digital module has a rigorous assessment piece grounded within an educational framework attached to it, enabling advisers to reinforce their learning. Advisers will be able to follow a personalised learning plan specific to their role and licensee requirements,” he said. Advisers have 12 months from their initial enrolment date to complete the Certificate in Business Studies (Financial Services Pathway), which encompasses one compulsory subject and one elective subject from a specialisation best suited to their professional practice. The specialisations include: Investment Life Disability and Health Insurance General Insurance Residential Property Lending With regard to future study opportunities, advisers will be eligible for entry in Massey University’s Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning and Advice) – the only qualification of its kind in New Zealand. According to Dr. Stangl, the qualification and CPD offering has generated significant interest throughout New Zealand’s licensee and adviser community. “Advisers have a transitional period of two years to meet the education requirements. Those who have already enrolled have expressed their desire to be early adopters, so they can move forward and set a positive example for their peers to follow. “With advisers required to complete one compulsory subject and one elective subject within 12 months from enrolment, many advisers are aiming to complete their qualification as soon as possible and then focus on completing the CPD and short courses. “We are working hard to leverage extensive industry relationships and Kaplan Professional’s expertise to promote this significant opportunity to raise the bar of financial services education in New Zealand for the betterment of advisers, consumers and the market as a whole,” he said. The fee for the complete programme is $1,800. This includes: Certificate in Business Studies (Financial Services Pathway) qualification 12-month Ontrack CPD subscription Up to eight financial services-focused short courses depending on specialisation Additional elective subjects can be added for NZD $900 each. Advisers are encouraged to join their peers and enrol in the final intake for 2021 commencing in November. This will ensure advisers can build their confidence and momentum in the final months of the year.