In South Africa, trustees as a collective keep watch over trillions of rands ̶ capital that plays a crucial role in the economy. Here are eight organisations that aim to empower trustees with continuous development, often free of charge.
FSCA’s Trustee Training Toolkit
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) launched a new trustee training toolkit (TTK) in September 2023. This online course is free and compulsory for all trustees. The toolkit comprises 11 modules that have to be completed within six months of your appointment as a trustee. (The next 11 modules are set to be launched in March this year.). On completion, you can earn 8 CPD points.
Atleha-edu
This non-profit organisation (that’s us!) focuses on retirement fund trustees, principal officers, management committee members, and fund member awareness and education. On atleha-edu.org you will find a mixture of educational publications, articles, and video and audio content (including translations into various African languages such as isiZulu, Sesotho and isiXhosa). Their educational content is accredited for Batseta continuing professional development. They also offer in-person workshops across the country, free of charge. Sign up for the newsletter here.
What are CPD points?
The continuing professional development (CPD) system is designed to ensure that individuals within regulated professions, such as lawyers, accountants and engineers, engage in continuous learning to stay updated on industry developments and enhance their skills to maintain high standards of competence.
Professional bodies and regulatory authorities often require their members to accumulate a certain number of CPD points over a specific period. These points are awarded for participating in approved training courses, workshops, conferences and seminars.
Batseta is the accrediting body for trustee- and principal officer-focused CPD.
20
The number of CPD hours trustees must complete each year. The CPD cycle is from 1 March to 28 February.
ASISA Academy
The Academy, in partnership with the ASISA Foundation, delivers a range of in-person and online workshops to trustees and principal officers free of charge. They cover topics such as governance, member benefits and foundations for retirement fund trustees. Their workshops are ideally run with individual funds but can also be delivered as multi-fund courses. On completion, delegates receive ASISA Academy attendance certificates that reflect CPD points.
Batseta
Batseta, the Council of Retirement Funds of South Africa, is a non-profit member organisation that focuses on the interests of principal officers, trustees and fund fiduciaries within the retirement industry.
It is a professional body for retirement fund principal officers and trustees and is registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). It is also an Assessment Quality Partner (AQP) or examining body for the principal officers’ and trustees’ occupational qualifications.
Batseta offers a year-round hub for growth and learning. It hosts various CPD events such as the annual Winter Conference, regional seminars, webinars, workshops and more – check out the events calendar.
Batseta also has a Blue Couch 101 section where it hosts video clips and podcasts on relevant industry topics from its corporate sponsors. Here concepts such as ESG investing, retirement planning and the green economy are explained.
FOR YOUR DIARY 27 to 29 May: Winter Conference 2024
Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA)
This association represents the interests of the retirement fund industry in South Africa and across the continent. Its most important function is to represent the retirement fund industry in negotiations with government authorities and regulators, which would include commenting on legislation and tax matters affecting retirement funds/pensioners, etc.
Any organisation or person actively involved in the retirement fund industry may apply for membership. Membership benefits include among others the opportunity to join the Institute’s working committees, participation in its research projects and discounts on conferences and workshops, which are CPD accredited by the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI).
The Institute also offers opportunities to learn more about the pension fund industry, keep up to date with local and international developments, and influence pension fund outcomes.
FOR YOUR DIARY 6 to 8 October 2024: IRFA 2024 Conference
Today’s Trustee
This digital magazine seeks to support and empower retirement fund trustees and principal officers, improving their roles by boosting their skills and awareness. A distinguishing factor of Today’s Trustee is its editorial independence – it doesn’t take sides with regulators or service providers. It stands on its own, aiming to spark discussions and debates on important topics for those managing retirement funds and the millions of South Africans who save through them.
The free magazine is delivered straight to your inbox every quarter. Plus, there’s a blog to keep you updated on the latest news and insights. Subscribe here.
Asset TV
Trusted by a community of over 600 000 advisors, pension funds, consultants, family offices, and wealth managers worldwide, this video hub is a prime resource for due diligence, validation, research, and continuous learning in the realm of retirement funds.
Asset TV creates videos that count as Continuing Education and CPD credits – from the latest news to conferences and expert opinions. It is almost like a YouTube channel that focuses on all things investment.
You can keep track of your progress with a personal viewing log, and enhance your CPD profile by adding reflective statements based on what you’ve learned.
Pensions World SA
This digital magazine provides educational information for trustees and also keeps readers up to date on topical issues and challenges facing the employee benefits market – four issues are published per year.
The magazine is owned by the Employee Benefits Network (EBnet), a digital retirement industry knowledge portal. It operates in South and Southern Africa and has the widest digital footprint in the industry. The platform distributes weekly emails to over 13 500 subscribers.
The IRFA and the FPI endorse and are affiliated with EBnet and Pensions World SA, thus you can earn CPD points by engaging with the educational content in the publication.
You can access the free online magazine and complete CPD assessments on the website.
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