FSSC launches consultation events on specialist exam standards

The Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC)is launching a series of consultation events on specialist investment advice exam standards.

In the briefing and feedback events across the UK, advisers will be able to comment on planned specialist exam standards in retail investment advice, packaged products as well as securities and derivatives.

The consultation forms part of the development of Appropriate Exam (ApEx) Standards and, by extension, the qualifications put forward in the RDR for all individuals advising on retail investments.

Events will take place in Edinburgh on 20 January, London on 27 January, Norwich on 2 February, Cardiff on 3 February, and Belfast on 10 February.

The FSSC says: "It is vital we maintain the level of participation for this next phase of the consultation and we would urge all industry practitioners and interested parties to get involved and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement."

The feedback sessions will follow the same pattern as those on core ApEx Standards except there will be two distinct strands - split along the lines of packaged products, and securities, derivatives - to reflect the different advice activities being consulted on.

Individuals can take part in an online survey on the proposed exam standards at http://fssc.org.uk