Work-based skills, and work experience

When developing the current education strategy the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries was keen to develop the practical aspects of your training as well as the theoretical aspects.

This is a further opportunity for you to learn, and you will come to understand how practical considerations can affect theoretical models. In addition, you develop personal skills in the work environment. We want to encourage you to develop a culture of self-assessment and professional development to help you plan your future as an actuary. We also want to encourage you to discuss ideas and thoughts with your colleagues.

Work-based skills applies to all students joining after 30 June 2004.

Entering for the exams

To enter for the actuarial exams you will need to use the supervisor registration form on the right of this page to either

• arrange a work-based skills supervisor within your workplace, and tell us who this is, or
• tell us that you are deferring the start of your work-based skills programme. If you do defer you will not be able to become a Fellow or Associate until you have fulfilled the work-based skills requirements.

Further information

Full details on how to complete the forms, the role of your supervisor and other information can be found in the Guide to work-based skills completion.

University students who wish to start this stage of their training log during periods of work experience may join the profession as Affiliates. The application form is available on the right.

Work experience requirement

All members who joined the Institute of Actuaries on or after 9 June 1975 are required to have at least three years' experience of actuarial work before being admitted to the Fellowship. See the Experience requirement page for more information on this.

If you have any queries about work-based skills, or the experience requirement, please contact the Work-based Skills Team (wbs@actuaries.org.uk)