The Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) has launched the first European programme of continuous professional development (CPD) for risk management as part of its rimap® professional certification. It offers more than 100 days per year of courses, conferences and other activities across Europe and beyond in a programme that FERMA calls “life-long learning”.
Isabel Martínez, FERMA board member with responsibility for certification, says, “FERMA rimap starts with an examination but it is a process of lifelong learning. The certificate holders enter the dynamic learning path which is so important for all risk professionals today to keep up to date with the changing risk environment.”
Fifteen of FERMA’s national association members have already received eligibility approval for their activities, and more are expected. Further sources of CPD points include the FERMA-Lloyd’s training programme, now in its fourth edition, and the AIG Academy. FERMA has also agreed mutual recognition of CPD activities with the US risk management association RIMS, the Pan-Asia Association PARIMA, ALARYS in Latin America and IRMSA in South Africa. “More are to come,” says Isabel. “It shows the power of the FERMA network.”
After their initial qualification by examination, FERMA rimap holders earn 50 CPD points every two years to maintain their certification. More than 400 points a year are already available through participation in conferences, scientific meetings and courses organised by FERMA, its members, other associations and the partners.
There is a wide variety of subjects and levels of knowledge available. Courses, for example, range from the entry level fundamentals of risk and insurance management to advanced risk management and applications of enterprise risk management (ERM). Other classes and seminars cover technical subjects, such as cyber risks, blockchain, pollution, biometrics, standards, product recall and natural catastrophes. Most events are also open to other risk managers.
Fifty European risk management professionals are already FERMA rimap certified. FERMA will hold an examination for new candidates on 8 October 2018 on site at the start of the 2018 FERMA Seminar in Antwerp. Candidates can also take the examination monthly throughout the year via the online platform with partner ANZIIF.
FERMA rimap is continuing to build momentum as an independent recognition of risk management professional competence and experience. In the latest development FERMA, the French risk management association AMRAE and The Institutes, a US-based risk and insurance knowledge network, have agreed that The Institutes’ Associate in Risk Management (ARM™) and AMRAE CEFAR© training programmes will provide an option for FERMA certification by equivalence. Graduates of ARM CEFAR and ARM, who fulfil the eligibility criteria for FERMA rimap, will be able to get this European risk management certification. The ALP programme run by FERMA’s Italian member ANRA, based on the FERMA rimap Body of Knowledge, earlier received equivalence recognition.
For more information, see the new FERMA rimap video and https://www.ferma.eu/rimap-european-risk-management-professional-certification