There are two key functions that the education secretary will have ownership of, sometimes this is is split into two roles, CPD and exams, or some institutes just have one person responsible for the two areas.
CPD
The education secretary is responsible for the institute's CPD programme for the ensuing twelve months.
All local institutes provide relevant CPD activity to members through a programme of lectures, as well as offering advice to those making enquiries about CII qualifications, potential paths of study and post qualification activities. It is also important to ensure that your council are kept up to date with developments to qualifications, as these may influence the focus or topics of future CPD programmes.
Remember, the role of the local institute is primarily to adopt the objectives of the CII, as defined in its Charter and Bye-laws, for the benefit of your local members, prospective members, students and the local insurance and financial services community.
Consequently, the education secretary should develop a close working relationship with the CII and also with the Regional Membership Manager for the region.
Main responsibilities
- Agreeing the number of lectures to host for the year's programme and confirming the dates.
- Agreeing the CPD programme budget to be adhered to, unless council otherwise agree.
- Sourcing and confirming suitable venues and audio visual equipment which meet the requirements of the health and safety policy and CII's CPD Accreditation requirements.
- Identifying and, in conjunction with the president and council, agreeing suitable topics for lectures and sourcing suitable speakers.
- Liaising with the venue and speaker in advance of an event to ensure all prepared (including room layout, presentation, refreshments, payment).
- Ensure that feedback forms are printed, handed out, filled in, collected and then analysed with the results shared with council.
- Advising council on developments to examinations and qualifications.
- Answering ad hoc queries from members or council on potential paths of study and directing them to the appropriate person for further information.
Exams
The education secretary organises the local written examination centre twice a year (each April and October) including sourcing of relevant venue, invigilation and overseeing operations.
Remember, the role of the local institute is primarily to adopt the objectives of the CII, as defined in its Charter and Bye-laws, for the benefit of your local members, prospective members, students and the local insurance and financial services community.
Consequently, the education secretary should develop a close working relationship with the CII and also with the Regional Membership Manager for the region.
Main responsibilities
- Arrange for the provision of a local examination centres, sourced within costs and quality parameters set by the CII.
- Act as agent for administration and carrying out of the CII’s examinations (April and October) according to the regulations prescribed by the CII including the collation of all associated paperwork to be sent back within pre-determined timescales.
- To ensure that cover is available on the week of the examinations in the case of any unforeseen emergency.
- Source invigilators for all examination sessions.
- Advise council on developments to examinations and qualifications and to report back to council on the organisation of the examinations.
- Answering ad hoc queries from members or council on potential paths of study and directing them to the appropriate person for further information.
- Liaising with your Regional Membership Manager to identify local prize winners, should your institute wish to give out prizes/certificates.
- To develop relationships with the CII Customer Service team with a responsibility for examinations.
- To ensure that they have a working understanding of the range of CII qualifications.