The challenges
facing the financial services sector and related insurance business unit is
ensuring they have suitably qualified FAIS Fit& Proper employees with
qualifications aligned to the specific Categories of Insurance and sub
categories of insurance in terms of the employees registration at the FSB. Many employees do not know which Category of
Insurance they are registered for and the requirements of the sub category is
in terms of DOFA, qualification, RE and CPD.
Standardized
classroom facilitated training requires that the employees are out of the work
environment for 2 to 20 days per
calendar year and the impact of this on time, investment and productivity has
become challenge for small, medium and large enterprises. In the past a solution to classroom
facilitated training has been distance paper based learning but this also poses
many challenges in terms student support, submission of paper based assessments
been mislaid, the student cannot be tracked in terms of input and output,
backup of copies of submitted documents not retained assessments, the list in
ongoing.
2012 saw the change to these challenges with the need for an E-learning
method.
This method of
learning offers flexibility for
students who have other commitments and removes the need to commute to a
classroom and take time off work or to the training provider’s office to deliver
a portfolio of evidence.
The E-learning system is more cost effective than classroom
or paper based learning. This method of
learning is suitable for home study and corporate employees. The E-learning allows the corporate employees
to create study groups during lunch breaks or after working hours.
During the period 2012-2016 the requirement to have a
paperless e-learning platform/system became prevalent in business with
identification of the below benefits of engaging with online e-learning
platform.
1.
Minimize
work day productivity loss
2.
Accessible
24/7 (Wi-Fi or data) plus off line ability.
3.
Authenticated
login.
4.
SETA
approved method of learning
5.
“My
tracker” tracks the number of time spent per chapter including notional hours.
6.
Inseta
approval to run blended e-learning learnerships – facilitated distance learning
via video link.
6.1.
Unemployed
learners – blended method including facilitated classroom sessions and the
learner can complete the Formative and Summative assessments online. The logbook will still be completed in hard
copy format.
6.2.
Employed
learners – blended method including facilitated classroom sessions and the
learner can complete the Formative and Summative assessments online. The logbook will still be completed in hard
copy format. OR
6.3.
Employed
learners – Distance method of learning, the learner will attend a 1 day
orientation session and complete the Formative and Summative assessments
online. The logbook will still be
completed in hard copy format.
6.4.
Unfunded
employed learners – who have achieved the minimum 60 FAIS fit and proper
credits. Distance method of learning, the learner will attend a 1 day orientation
session and complete the Formative and Summative assessments online. The logbook will still be completed in hard
copy format.
7.
Off
line ability – the learner can export the learning material content for
preparation when there is no access to internet. This will allow the learner to
prepare to complete the formative assessment online and prepare for the
summative closed book assessment.
8.
Summative
Assessment are overseen by an invigilator.
9.
Assessment,
Moderation and verification are all recorded online.
10.
The
learner can learn at own pace during the semester.
11.
Pay
as you enrol – do not dictate the number of unit standards to be enrolled per
registration.
12.
Can
enrol at any point during the year.
13.
Tutorial
support during working days/hours, live-chat, email, telephone.
14.
Multi-device
access.
15.
There are no bandwidth requirements
but it is advisable for the learner to have a steady data connection in order
to complete the assessments.
It must be cautioned that
E-learning is a self-directed method of learning, the student will be
accountable for their own time management, motivation and written
communication.
To ensure the interested party is tech
savvy all applicants are required to complete a Computer Literacy entrance
assessment. Should the applicant not achieve competence on the entrance
assessment they will be advised to complete their studies via distance paper
based learning or attend classroom facilitated training.
The Inseta and Fasset approved Learnership
method. The blended distance facilitated video link requires that the business
or student has quality Internet connection speeds, including headphones to
provide an environment where the student is able to concentrate on the
facilitation process without disturbance.
The student will communicate via the video link back to the facilitator
in the classroom environment creating an interactive environment for the
distance learning student.
The role of a
SETA or HET accredited training provider with good knowledge of FAIS Fit &
Proper requirements and other legislation that governs the financial services
industry requirements is essential to assist in guiding businesses and students
on appropriate study methodologies to meet this industries requirements.
Article
supplied by: Intelligo Solutions (PTY) Ltd.
