Top Tips for Level 5 Distance Learning

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Professional IQ College has shared their top tips for advisers looking to complete their Level 5 Certificate through distance learning.

Adviser professional development expert and Professional IQ College Board Member, Angi Mann, says, “When you are busy running your own business, there’s little time left for reading or exercising – let alone studying for your Level 5 Certificate.”

Adviser professional development expert, Angi Mann

Mann listed the top tips below for financial advisers looking to obtain their Level 5 Certificate fast and efficiently with distance learning.

1. The sooner you start, the better

“The countdown is on, so it’s important not to leave the NZ Certificate Level 5 training to the last minute. Now is the right time to think about it and start planning on how to get there faster,” said Mann.

According to Mann, being proactive is even more important for those advisers who are considering operating under a FAP.

“My advice is to talk to your FAP as soon as possible, and check what their certification requirements and timeframes might be. This will give you a clearer sense of where you’re at, helping prioritise the next moves,” she said.

“You should also consider the other changes and challenges coming over the next two years – licensing, insurance contract law review, conduct of financial institutions, and several more. Now is a good time to act.”

2. Keeping business capacity top-of-mind

“As we said, the sooner you start, the better. But you also have a business to run and money to make; your time is precious. And this why getting the timing right is crucial,” Mann said.

She added advisers should ask themselves: Do I currently have the capacity to focus on my Level 5 training for the next eight or nine months? Or perhaps it might be better to delay it another few months and, in the meantime, focus on boosting revenue?

3. Make a learning plan, and stick to it

“Once you have determined your training priorities and capacity needs, it’s time to create a learning plan,” said Mann. “No matter how rusty you may feel: setting realistic goals and timeframes can help you keep moving forward, at your own pace but steadily.”

She added that self-motivation is essential: “Distance learning is a lot about discipline and self-motivation. There are no set timeframes, except for a final deadline. So by setting your own goals and rewards, you will likely get to the finish line faster and stronger.”

4. Find learning partners

“Self-motivation is a great soft skill to have. But you might still feel a bit ‘isolated’ and in need of extra support,” said Mann.

“Unity is strength. So why not find other financial advisers who are going through the same learning process? By building your own support team, you can motivate each other and track common goals, while serving as sounding boards for any questions and concerns that arise.”

Click here for further details about Professional IQ College’s NZ Certificate Level 5 programme.