Competency Framework Help
What is it?
By offering a variety of competence tools, the CII are able to provide individuals and their employer organisations with a means of achieving the requisite levels of technical knowledge and understanding. With the impact of statutory regulation, employees will be required to demonstrate they are competent for the work they do, and thereafter to maintain and enhance this competence.
The Job Role and Competency frameworks sit at the heart of all CII and Faculty activity and help to drive the development of new products and services which are relevant to current market best practice. Using them in support of internal more company specific models will help to promote both personal development and professionals standards and contribute to the delivery of improved customer service and business results.
They have been developed to provide an effective externally benchmarked tool for insurance professionals and employers alike. They signpost the minimum levels of competence required for each role in the key critical areas of Underwriting, Claims & Broking both within the London Market and the wider UK and Global arenas. Each of the frameworks is managed by the relevant Faculty who work continuously with subject experts from the market to ensure that the frameworks are kept relevant and up to date.
By demonstrating clear progression the frameworks allow you to create individual profiles and facilitate the planning of future development areas which can be used to continue building successful careers in the Insurance and Financial Services industry.
Why should I use it?
Learning & development support:
Only the individual and/or the employer can determine what development activity is relevant. Use the competency framework to conduct a 'skill gap analysis' and then determine what new skills are needed and what current skills need to be enhanced.
Consider what resources are available to support the acquisition of knowledge or skill; what learning methods are preferred and what development activity is already being done as part of an employer's programme.
The CII can help to achieve development objectives. There are a variety of resources you can draw from and these are listed here as possible ways to attain the required level of technical/business knowledge or skill. These are CII accredited solutions which provide important external benchmarking and which fit within an overall national standards framework.
In addition members of the Institute benefit from a range of additional support services which can be used to maintain and enhance competence.
Remember:
You do not have to use the CII's resources to build and improve competence but there are many ways in which we can help!
How does it work?
Area of business:
The Framework has been developed for the business critical general insurance functions of Underwriting, Claims, Insurance Broking and London market Broking. The Claims and Underwriting frameworks include those practitioners working in the London Market in addition to those in the wider UK and Global markets.
Job Roles:
The broad roles within each function have been profiled and this enables you to choose which most aligns with your own role to build a personal framework.
Competency Types:
The frameworks have identified key competencies for each role in each of these fundamentally important areas.
- Technical Knowledge = Theory – that which is 'factual' and can be learnt.
- Business Knowledge = Theory/Acumen – knowledge which is applied in a business context.
- Interpersonal skills = Ability – acquired skills used to apply knowledge.
Key Competencies:
These are generic in order to allow individuals to apply their own particular area of operation. For example: the Technical Knowledge competence of ‘Class of risk and product knowledge’ defines the core requirements for any class of business or product range. In the case of a Motor claims handler the competency would apply to Motor products.
Description:
Each of the key competencies are described in more detail when selected. For example: the Technical Knowledge competence of 'Class of risk and product knowledge' for a Motor claims handler can be described as 'Knowledge and understanding of standard motor policy terms and acceptable market variations. Knowledge and understanding of motor rating procedures. Understanding of the potential for motor risk improvements'.
Levels of Competence:
The knowledge and/or application of each competency is described using 4 progressive levels. Each level explains how and to what extent the competency is used for the role selected:
- Level 1 – Basic understanding
Basic recall of information in familiar contexts/situations only.
- Level 2 – Basic application
Recall knowledge and information within a limited range of contexts/situations.
- Level 3 – Detailed understanding & application
Wider use of knowledge at a tactical and operational level.
- Level 4 – Application of expert understanding
Drawing knowledge from a wide variety of contexts at an operational and/or strategic level.
Each of the level descriptions are shown in order to illustrate how knowledge and skill can be developed. The minimum level of competence required for the role selected is highlighted. Use the level descriptions to conduct a ‘skill gap analysis’ which can then be used to determine a prioritised learning and development plan.
Download PDF
Download and print the full job role and competency framework PDF. This PDF covers the roles in Claims, Underwriting, Insurance Broking and London Market Broking.
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