I recently received a large white envelope from the CII. Inside, there was a personalised letter explaining about the changes to the CII qualification regime. I was aware of the changes, but was grateful to receive the brochures as I am a self employed trainer and speak to many delegates about the steps they can take to obtain relevant qualifications.
However, on reading the letter I became concerned. Below are the paragraphs that raised my blood pressure.
"Transitional arrangements: Exam passes within the current CII insurance framework (FIT, IFC, CIP and Associateship) attract credits with the same value in the new framework. Please find enclosed a personalised Learning Statement detailing the credits you currently hold within the new framework. We have enclosed the latest Information for candidates brochure, which will allow you to plan future study within the new regime and a Qualifications Overview brochure giving details of the changes. Please pay particular attention to page 11, which details the transitional rules applying to existing candidates.
"As you completed the Associate-ship pre the 1992 examination scheme you are not required to take the three core units (subjects 510 Risk and Insurance company and contract law and 530 Business and economics. Although these subjects are not compulsory you may take them if you wish."
I then looked at my personalised statement, which recorded points to the value less than an advanced diploma (ACII). I have been qualified for 20 years. Are they suggesting that my ACII is going to be taken away? I am actively involved in training people about insurance and have to, as a necessity of the job, keep up to date. What about all the other senior members of the industry who obtained their qualifications prior to 1992. Have they all had similar letters? Do we now know nothing?
The transitional arrangements on page 11 clearly refer to people already in the system who started under one regime and are now completing under another - nothing new for the CII, I experienced a similar transition in the early 1980s.
Sue Hibberd
Chartered Insurance Practitioner
