New learning platform for brokers launched

The platform uses video and social media-style forums to engage learners and contains all training materials, from introduction through to loan selection, sales and marketing online. It enables users to track audit results and “the associated remedial actions”.

The education platform will be rolled out to the YBR franchise network in November.

Speaking at the Vow Financial National Conference 2017 last week, general manager Clive Kirkpatrick said that the education initiative has been in development for over a year, in response to a rapidly changing broker sector. He said: “We’ve all seen that the regulator is delegating responsibility for supervision and monitoring to aggregators, and we’re using this as an opportunity to reinvent the industry’s approach to learning.

“It’s not just about addressing poor processes, but about proactively giving people the knowledge and skills to do the right thing. The increased cost of compliance demands new, scalable solutions from aggregators and we are now a leader in this area.”

The approach will benefit not just brokers but their customers too, Mr Kirkpatrick said.

“The sector is changing all the time, and brokers require bite-size learning to make sure they are ahead of the curve on regulations and products. It’s more than just compliance; it’s about helping our brokers run a better, more profitable business that gives consumers better outcomes.

“We are drawing on the latest education technology from Open Colleges to deliver a platform unlike anything available in the industry today, that will sit alongside our existing online and face-to-face peer learning.”

Open Colleges collaborated with the YBR Group on the materials, as well as on platform design, content development and learning technology.

Open Colleges is a leader in online learning and, for more than 100 years, has been evolving its approach to meet the needs of learners by offering flexible, accessible courses.

Commenting on the partnership, managing director at Open Colleges Nic Cola said: “Today’s professionals are highly mobile and socially connected, but it also means they are often overwhelmed, distracted and impatient. As a result, they need learning options that are accessible whenever and wherever they want.

“They also want learning that also enables them to connect and collaborate with peers, not just consume content. We have partnered with [the] Yellow Brick Road Group to ensure their education approach is designed around all these parameters.”

Mr Cola concluded: “We’re excited to roll this out in such a dynamic and growing industry and with a partner like [the] Yellow Brick Road who believes in the transformative nature of great learning.”

[Related: ‘It’s time’ to take the lead on education: YBR]