TAL launches 2018 Risk Academy schedule and new learning portal

TAL, Australia’s leading life insurance specialist, today launched the 2018 program for its industry-leading TAL Risk Academy, as well as a new online learning management system for licensees and advisers.

TAL Risk Academy now offers over 50 product-agnostic courses, including 16 new courses covering topics such as super and insurance advice, financial underwriting, understanding health conditions, business management and building unique client value propositions. Designed to suit different knowledge levels, the courses will be offered throughout 2018 to support advisers with their professional development and business growth. 

As part of TAL Risk Academy, the new online learning management system has been designed to help advisers create more personalised learning plans with the ability to search on specific knowledge areas via desktop or mobile.

TAL’s Head of Licensees and Partnerships, Beau Riley, said, “TAL Risk Academy’s suite of professional development programs are developed based on feedback we receive from attendees and has been designed to support advisers to grow both their advice and business skills.

“With the evolving legislative and education requirements, it’s never been more important for advisers to have access to continuous learning and education resources that can help them stay at the top of the industry, grow their businesses, and provide the best possible outcomes for their clients.

“We recognise the time demands advisers face day-to-day, and through TAL Risk Academy we provide a trusted and easily accessible source of information. TAL Risk Academy offers flexible learning options through on-demand webinars, face-to-face workshops or masterclasses and our new online learning management system will make it easier for advisers to keep their learning plans in one place, with a learning dashboard where they can track their progress,” he said.

TAL Risk Academy is managed by a specialist TAL team, which is dedicated to building content and tools relevant to advisers and the insurance industry. TAL Risk Academy also engages leading industry experts to run sessions across a broad spectrum of areas outside of risk advice, including practice management and social media marketing.

Advisers can achieve up to 100 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points by completing the whole Risk Academy curriculum and all courses and materials are accredited by the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA), Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and Tax Practitioners Board (TPB).

The majority of courses are available free of charge, with masterclasses attracting a fee that is donated to charity. 

Mr Riley said, “We are proud to be able to support the learning and development of students from disadvantaged backgrounds through TAL Risk Academy. Since the launch of the TAL Risk Academy, we have raised more than $180,000 for Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to students facing economic, family or social challenges that impact their study.

“Education is a cornerstone of our industry and TAL is proud to take a leading role in educating our partners and the community for the benefit of all Australians,” he said.

In 2017, TAL Risk Academy saw a record number of attendees. Since 2015, more than 6,000 advisers have attended over 16,500 Risk Academy courses.

To see the full list of courses and access the new online learning management system, visit: https://www.tal.com.au/risk-academy-launch.