The newest entrant in the insurance professional training field says she doesn’t want to compete with the big players, but merely provide a service that complements theirs.

The College of Professional Education is the newest registered training organisation in the insurance field, launched last week by Finserv Consulting MD Maureen Ball.

Ms Ball says the college is strictly a niche player, occupying gaps in the training curriculum not filled by larger organisations like the Australia and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) and NIBA College.

“There may be some overlap, but our premise is to be a boutique college,” Ms Ball told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“We felt there was a real need, and as a small targeted player we could do it really well. The seed has been there for a long time, but timing is everything.”

The college has launched four training streams, which Ms Ball says may expand based on industry needs. They comprise a financial services education program for the motor industry, insurance program administration and management, a coverholder education program and a general insurance advisers program.

Ms Ball says the college has taken two years to set up. The first students signed on last week, and she hopes to have more than 100 graduates in the inaugural year.

“We want to take a holistic approach to provide dedicated educational pathways for those areas that are not necessarily catered for,” she said.