A newcomer to the IFoA fold, the Lifelong Learning Board (LLB) came to fruition in Autumn 2018, with the remit of shaping, connecting and focusing the IFoAs strategy on lifelong learning in the profession.
A newcomer to the IFoA fold, the Lifelong Learning Board (LLB) came to fruition in Autumn 2018, with the remit of shaping, connecting and focusing the IFoA's strategy on lifelong learning in the profession. Bringing together a diverse group of actuaries from different fields and career stages, together with independent lay members - including a lay chair - the LLB aims to be a dynamic and purposeful board for the benefit of members. But what has the LLB done so far? Where is it headed? And how can you get involved?
One of the LLB's first actions, back in October 2018, was to publish a position statement, which committed it to work transparently and openly with as wide a cross-section of the profession as possible. It is in this spirit that we are providing an update on our work, and encouraging interaction from readers of The Actuary.
The LLB has been tapping into the discussions of Council, the Management Board, other boards and the wider membership, and it is clear that the uncertainties of the future are a pressing topic. This should come as no surprise - actuarial science, after all, is grounded in an assessment of uncertainty and future risk - but it is generally more comfortable to assess someone else's risk than one's own. With the burgeoning global interest in, and concerns around, areas such as climate change and AI, actuaries may be asking: what does it mean to be an actuary? What does an actuary need in order to be effective? What kind of skillset and mindset does an actuary need to develop, grow and refresh - not only as a student, but throughout their career?
The LLB is looking hard at the core curriculum, the post-qualification curriculum and the opportunities for actuaries to benefit from lifelong learning through conferences, webinars, events and standalone credentials in emerging areas of interest, such as data science. We will also be looking at how we can utilise technology more effectively in every aspect of lifelong learning, from the assessments themselves to conferences, building on the digital delivery of the IFoA's recent data science conference. We have set up task and finish groups to feed back into our reflections, and we are working out how to open up our discussions to the widest possible audience, including a potential survey of members via the 400 Club (bit.ly/2Xcsih3).
We welcome your engagement, questions, thoughts and interest. Keep an eye on what is happening in the realm of lifelong learning in the IFoA, and do not hesitate to proffer your thoughts and opinions to the Board, because we will listen to them and absorb them. The members of the Board are passionate about making an impact, so help them by engaging with them.
Lifelong learning, after all, is for everyone.
Dr Helen Wright, chair, LLB
Contact via [email protected]