Kaplan Professional is planning to increase its range of short courses in response to growing demand from advisers.

The education and training provider says last year there were almost 325,000 completions of digital modules in the Financial Adviser content library, an increase of nearly 15% over the previous year.

Kaplan says the rise shows that advisers are wanting to ensure their technical knowledge stays up to date, with a focus on ethical behaviour and emerging areas such as managed investments, exchange-traded funds and aged care, especially elder abuse.

“We are planning to add to the more than 300 content pieces that our technical experts produce annually in a diverse range of formats to cater to many learning styles – more podcasts, videos and shorter micro-learning pieces,” CEO Brian Knight said.

“We will also be expanding on our range of specialist short courses, while offering advisers more opportunities to be recognised for the continuing education they have completed through digital badging and micro-credentials.”

Mr Knight says with the industry embracing professionalism, the importance of advisers extending their knowledge and skills through ongoing continuing education has never been more critical.

“Advisers have responded positively as they recognise that a profession is grounded on a balance of formal qualifications and ongoing continuing education, coupled with practical experience,” Mr Knight said.

“The feedback we are getting is there is a real demand for high-quality, original and unbiased technical continuing education content, which encompasses the whole range of areas and issues advisers may face in their professional practice.”