Networks such as, Positive Solutions, Foster Denovo and threesixty are amongst the many who will be encouraging advisers to take the ifs qualification.
Mike Cleary COO at Foster Denovo said, 'Foster Denovo is really pleased with the news that the DipFA has gained Ofqual accreditation. We have always been very positive about the design of the ifs qualification and believe it will be a popular option for a significant proportion of our adviser population. We shall certainly be encouraging our advisers to achieve the level 4 qualification and will continue to promote ifs as an option.'
Len Warwick, Chairman of Warwick Butchart Associates Ltd who chaired the Securities and Investments Board's Training & Competence Panel, said: "There are many good positive developments in the field of financial services education. Sometimes, however, I feel commentators and others focus on knowledge tests ignoring the other embedded requirements of T&C namely on-the-job training and assessment and, of course, CPD. There is great commitment from practitioners to all three requirements. I therefore particularly welcome the interesting ifs approach with DipFA because it packages an emphasis on both knowledge and advice processes, and has got away from product classification and learning by rote. We all recognize that it is important to develop skills to use acquired knowledge to assess suitability and give advice in real situations. The DipFA therefore has an important place in improving standards."
Tim Hattersley, Director of industry management and training consultants Doran Scott Williams (DSW), states "The ifs approach to the Diploma is not only an excellent response to the objectives of RDR, but aims to truly improve the Adviser /Client relationship through the combination of higher technical knowledge and enhanced communication skills. The study makes use of a range of blended learning techniques as expected from modern qualifications, which the learner should find easy to apply in their real world."
