Corporate relations and communications director Gary Millner says the shape, structure and content of qualifications and skills development should follow from the RDR, rather than be used to influence or dictate it.
He says: “As the FSA has not made clear what its final intentions are with regard to the RDR it would be foolish to encourage the uptake of existing qualifications in the hope that this will meet new requirements yet to be announced.”
Millner adds that higher-level qualifications based upon the acquisition of specialist knowledge ignore the importance of research and advice skills.
Ifs says its new Advanced Financial Advice Module will be refined following extensive piloting and the outcome of the RDR.
Millner says by piloting and testing the AFAM qualification within the context of the RDR will ensure it is “putting the horse in front of the cart”.
