Amelia Constantinidis
AMP has made further steps in its commitment to increase professional standards in financial advice, announcing a new program with long-term partner Griffith University, to deliver its Adviser Academy course through AMP Horizons.
The partnership is part of a re-design of the AMP Horizons education pathway, which includes the introduction of more flexible study options and an increased amount of time working in an AMP financial planning practice to build knowledge and skills.
Head of AMP Horizons, Amelia Constantinidis said the re-design of the Horizons education pathway is the next step for AMP in improving professional standards.
“This reinforces our existing relationship with Griffith University, which has an industry-leading reputation for its finance-related degrees. As we continue to improve professional standards, it made sense for us to look at more ways to work with independent education providers.
“This partnership means Griffith University will now deliver the AMP Adviser Academy program with Horizons to equip Australia’s future financial advisers with the foundation knowledge they need to deliver high-quality advice to customers.
“We know that flexible study options are important, especially for people who need to work, have children or are living remotely. We’ve improved flexibility by making elements of the course available online, reducing the time required on-campus. The result is that we’re opening the opportunity to start a financial planning career to more Australians,” Ms Constantinidis said.
Changes to the Horizons education pathway include:
- Entry standards for the new AMP Adviser Academy program have been increased to degree equivalent and will be delivered over a six-week period by Griffith University and Horizons. The course includes three weeks of online learning and a three-week residential period at the Horizons campus in Sydney’s St Leonards.
- Following completion of the course, graduates will start their practical experience in an integrated environment between the AMP Horizons Practice followed by an AMP-aligned practice, where they will be offered employment and provided with ongoing mentoring and coaching to learn on-the-job skills. The program is designed to give students an opportunity to complete a full-year of professional experience.
- When employees have worked for twelve months in an AMP-aligned practice, they will be awarded an education grant to go towards achieving their preferred pathway of a Certified Financial Planner, Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner, or Masters in Financial Planning designation – all of which are post-graduate degree equivalent and part of AMP’s minimum education standard required by 31 December, 2019.
- The number of new student intakes will be increased from four to six per year, providing more flexibility to commence the course at a suitable time during the year.
These changes follow a series of measures announced by AMP in August 2014 to lift adviser professionalism. These include minimum education requirements, a customer advice review panel and partnership with The Ethics Centre to develop a broad-ranging ethics and responsible decision-making program.
The first intake for the program will be on 26 October 2015. More details on the entry requirements for AMP Horizons and upcoming intake dates can be found here.