Pearson has recently launched its new Ofqual-accredited insurance claims handling diploma in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) and the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). The diploma has been launched in an effort to raise standards, encourage new blood into the industry and provide another stepping stone in CILA’s gold standard chartered claims qualifications.

Any new or existing CILA members who successfully complete the programme will be awarded with a nationally recognised qualification as well as the designation ‘Dip CILA’.

Nicholas Hnatiuk, Pearson’s Employer Partnership Manager who has been involved in the project, said: “We developed the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Insurance Claims Handling (QCF) by reviewing CILA’s existing training practices and mapping them against the National Occupational Standards, so that it could become a BTEC qualification on the QCF. The qualification is supported by Pearson learning materials for the customer service and business administration elements of the diploma, and will be available as part of the Providing Financial Services BTEC Apprenticeship from April 2012.”

Malcolm Hyde, CILA executive director, said: “We are delighted to launch our new Ofqual-accredited insurance claims handling diploma, which forms part of our suite of claims examinations and upholds our strategy of continued improvement to ensure we keep pace with our dynamic membership.

“New and young claims professionals can now take our certificate, then diploma, before moving on to our associateship. There is a clear footpath to create tomorrow’s chartered adjusters.”

Starting the diploma is simple; all the required materials can be purchased online, together with entry to the exam. There are up to five courses, each taking around 30-40 hours of personal study. The courses are practical and easy to understand, and encourage the candidate to put the theory into context within their working environment. The examinations are multiple choice and can be taken at Pearson VUE centres throughout the world, at a time that suits the candidate. Results are given immediately to the candidate.