CPD Co-ordinators’ handbook

Introduction

Thank you very much for agreeing to be a CPD Co-ordinator on behalf of your organisation. This mini handbook has been prepared to assist you in your role as CPD Co-ordinator.

In common with most other professions, the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries has agreed standards of CPD which qualified actuaries must meet in order to demonstrate that they are keeping their skills and knowledge up to date. These requirements are set out in the CPD Handbook.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is formally defined by the profession as the maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill and the development of the personal and professional qualities needed throughout an actuary's working life.

Role of a CPD Co-ordinator

Firms or offices where there are at least three qualified actuaries are encouraged to have a CPD Co-ordinator. The main role of the CPD Co-ordinator should be to act as a link on CPD issues between individual actuaries, their managers and the human resources function within a company and with the profession. Co-ordinators aim to raise awareness and understanding of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries' CPD requirements and to encourage and assist actuaries to undertake CPD.

Who is the CPD Co-ordinator?

As the CPD Co-ordinator, you might be an actuary, a member of your organisation's compliance team, or a member of the human resources function. In some organisations, those with a number of offices, a number of people might be CPD Co-ordinators. Where a company has more than one CPD Co-ordinator, those Co-ordinators should liaise and share ideas and good practice.

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries keeps a database of CPD Co-ordinators and keeps in regular contact with them. If the name(s) or contact details for any CPD Co-ordinators change, please let us know as soon as possible. We hold an annual CPD Co-ordinator's half day Briefing, in London, each autumn.  In addition to this, if there are any CPD issues which you would like to discuss with us, or with which you need help, please get in touch.  See the Useful Contacts list below.

Functions of CPD Co-ordinator

The following possible functions might be undertaken by the CPD Co-ordinator within a company:

• Encourage actuaries to undertake CPD.
• Tell newly qualified actuaries about CPD and ensure that actuaries and managers are aware of the CPD requirements.
• Help actuaries to plan and record their CPD programme, encompassing needs in technical skills, business and management skills and professionalism.
• Monitor CPD undertaken.
• Organise and encourage the provision of in-house CPD meetings, keeping attendance records as appropriate.
• Encourage people within their organisation to present at CPD events.
• Consider inviting the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries to give an update talk within your organisation
• Publicise CPD events (internal and external).
• Consult actuaries on CPD matters on behalf of the profession.
• Act as a point of contact for the profession in matters relating to CPD.
• Provide feedback to the profession on all aspects of CPD.
• Liaise with other local CPD Co-ordinators and regional societies on CPD provision.
• Update the profession with any change of CPD Co-ordinator.
• Attend the annual Briefing for CPD Co-ordinators to share ideas.
• Encourage actuaries to record their CPD and comply with the requirements of the profession's CPD scheme.

The range and extent of these functions will vary depending on the following factors:

• Size of company.
• Type of company.
• Ethos of company in terms of general approach on training and development.
• Location of company.
• One site or multi-site.
• Numbers of actuaries.

Details of the CPD scheme and the requirements with which actuaries must comply are available.

Conclusion

We hope that during your time as CPD Co-ordinator you will be able to establish good CPD links between your company and the profession. Please keep in contact with us and remember to tell us when there is a change of CPD Co-ordinator in your organisation.

Useful contacts