With the new standards being released from FASEA that require advisers to undertake 50 hours of CPD per year to stay qualified, it’s time for advisers to start planning how to get the most out of their required learning. This may also be taken in tandem with additional qualifications and continuing to service clients and grow businesses.
While at face value it may seem like a heck of a lot of time to put into CPD, if planned and undertaken the right way it can be an educational requirement that can also prove to be enjoyable.
We all know of people that cram CPD as 30 June gets closer, knowing that the all-important points tally has to be in on time. That approach however, puts undue pressure on people and does not give the maximum learning outcome.
I believe the best way to extract the most from the 50 hour CPD component is to sit down and have a strategy session. This can be either by yourself or with your colleagues so long as you come up with a long year plan and how to undertake it.
Three ways to make this process easier include:
Map out the live events first.
The good ones are usually high in CPD hours. Make sure you assess the topics covered, who the speakers are and how much educational value is in each day. Your time will be more precious than ever, so only pick the events where you can achieve maximum learning and networking – the days of going just for the networking will be over.
Plan out each competency and who you want to do it with.
You don’t have to just stick with a single program from your licensee or from Kaplan. There are CPD available from a variety of sources, much of it for free. Plan out (and ask others) who does the best CPD in what areas, and map a plan to spread your attention to the best outlets. Make sure you take advantage of their digital storage (No More Practice Education has its own dashboard here if you didn’t know, just register and we will store your CPD for free) so it’s easier to track.
Map out your year in advance.
There are always times of the year – whether it be school holidays, family events or work trips – where you know you can’t be learning. With a minimum of 1.04 hours a week to get the required 50 hours in, you are going to have to plan days and weeks where you can do your CPD, and diarise them. It will ensure you do it in a stress-free way, and there will be a digital record of your learning plan, which is never a bad thing.
We are committed to keep bringing you entertaining video education, insight, leadership and access to the right people to help guide you on your education journey. Not an easy one, but hopefully a rewarding one that sees our industry thrive post Royal Commission and the changes to come.
Until next time,
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