The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) will introduce new education courses following a regulatory review of program requirements.

“We’re in the process of finalising a course review and will soon roll out our new courses to meet the new requirements,” CEO Dallas Booth told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

He says courses for insurance professionals offered by the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) are also being “refreshed”, and other providers are examining their content.

The changes follow a major review of course content requirements by Innovation & Business Skills Australia (IBSA) – one of 11 industry skills councils established by the Federal Government to oversee vocational training.

Mr Booth has responded to criticism from Brisbane training provider Val Phinn, director of the Financial Services School, who questioned the value of some course content in insuranceNEWS.com.au last week.

Her school has stopped offering some modules for insurance professionals because, she says, they fail to meet her clients’ needs.

Mr Booth says regular consultations are undertaken by IBSA and “they are the opportunity for people such as Val and anyone else to provide input” on course design.

“There are real opportunities for people to put their views forward,” he said.

He understands that in the last round of consultation the only training providers to give input were NIBA and ANZIIF. Representatives of both organisations sit on the IBSA board.

The issue is part of wider debate on training reforms for the insurance sector, and “it’s all an ongoing process,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Earlier this year, now-retired Austbrokers & IBNA Members Services GM Martin McAvenna called for NIBA and ANZIIF to co-operate on an improved education regime.

His comments have drawn widespread industry support.

Mr Booth says there have been many references to Mr McAvenna’s suggestions, and the current review is consistent with his call for reform of skills, knowledge and training for insurance brokers in the next 5-10 years.

“It’s an incredibly important series of issues that he raised.”