The level 3 Certificate in Financial Services, Life and Pensions route offers practical support to firms signed up to the CII’s industry-led framework of professional standards, it said.
The course, developed in conjunction with an employer campaign group, caters for those currently working in customer operations and contact centres, said the CII.
The qualification will develop the knowledge and understanding of the sector’s role and activities, customer needs and products, and working within a regulatory and legislative sector.
CII director of financial markets Steve Jenkins, said: “This new route is designed to meet the professional development needs of early-career employees working for life and pensions organisations, providing a solid grounding in how the sector meets customer needs within the regulatory and consumer environment.”
The launch follows the introduction last month of the CII’s voluntary framework of professional standards, which it hopes will boost public confidence in the wake of the pension freedoms reforms.
Aviva Life, LV=, NFU Mutual, Scottish Widows, Standard Life, closed book company Pheonix Group, Re Assure, and outsourcer HCL have all signed up to the charter that requires firms having the majority of customer-facing staff working towards certificate-level or equivalent qualifications.
In April, the CII introduced a new programme to help financial planners get up to date with the latest UK pension reforms.
The Pensions Update Programme (R08) is designed as a bridging qualification open to those who have already passed a pension exam such as AF3 pension planning or a level four unit such as R04 pensions.
