The Pensions Management Institute (PMI) has launched a partnerships programme with pensions sector employers as it seeks to expand its training and development offering.
Consultancy group Barnett Waddingham, administrator Aptia, and the Local Government Association (LGA) have all signed up as inaugural Development Partnership participants.
These partnerships are designed to support companies in investing in staff training and development through a “streamlined, scalable structure”.
They include access to the PMI’s qualifications programmes, continuing professional development (CPD) services, and bespoke training initiatives.
The PMI said the partnerships were part of “a bold new push to raise professional standards across the pensions industry”.
The focus on administration reflects a recent report from the Pensions Regulator that flagged staff recruitment and retention as issues for many administrators.
At the time, the PMI said administration talent development had “long demanded sector-wide attention as administration evolves in complexity and scale”.
“Education is the foundation of excellence in pensions administration, and we are committed to empowering pension professionals and collaborating with industry leaders to drive innovation and improve retirement experiences.”
Malcolm Reynolds, Aptia
Varsha Gicas, chief customer officer at the PMI, said this week: “Our role is to educate pension professionals, empower tomorrow’s pension leaders and enable better saver outcomes. We know organisations today need scalable, cost-effective ways to invest in skills.
“This exciting initiative is about working with corporations more effectively to raise standards in a more efficient way. We’re helping employers explore how they can support their people while also listening carefully to what they need from their professional body.”
Malcolm Reynolds, Aptia’s UK president, said: “Education is the foundation of excellence in pensions administration, and we are committed to empowering pension professionals and collaborating with industry leaders to drive innovation and improve retirement experiences.
“Our partnership with the PMI reflects our commitment to continuous learning and equipping professionals with recognised skills and standards.
“We are committed to driving higher standards across the pensions administration sector and will continue to collaborate with the PMI to deliver excellence and improve outcomes for all.”
Lisa Clarkson, the LGA’s senior training and development adviser for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), said: “This collaboration reflects our commitment to equipping local government pension professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to deliver the best possible outcomes for LGPS scheme members.”
