The accreditation will include e-learning solutions used by brokers to keep up-to-date with training and competency requirements.
AMI said it would fully support the move.
Chris Cummings, director of AMI, said: “This is a long overdue idea from the Skills Council. Qualifications are the starting point of how intermediaries prove their competency but it is a lot more to do with ongoing competency and assessment.”
“One of the things that has struck me is the number of IT systems that promise to keep brokers up-to-date and competent but there has been no real assessment of these systems.
“A system may look good but could prove to be less than adequate. Accreditation of these IT systems is the type of thing AMI would support,” Cummings added.
In addition, the Skills Council said it is currently developing an accreditation scheme which will give recognition to firms, training providers and sole traders who can demonstrate that their investment in training produces a solid business outcome.
Companies who meet the standards will earn a Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC) Accreditation award and will be listed as an accredited firm by the FSSC. The accreditation scheme will begin in spring 2005 following the completion of the pilot projects in January 2005.
Norwich Union Life and Aon Ltd Reinsurance, who have taken part in the pilot accreditation scheme, will be the first to be awarded Exemplar Status by the FSSC.
Jim Colgan, head of sales at Norwich Union Personal Finance, said: “I estimate training gives us ten-fold return on our investment. 20 per cent of our business would not exist if it were not for the training and competence department.”
