The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand developed a blended distance learning solution to address the upskilling needs of the country's financial services sector in response to changed regulations. The project involved developing 16 online and print courses totaling 500 hours of learning content. A cross-functional team worked to rapidly design and deliver the pedagogically robust courses, which included multimedia resources, online quizzes and forums, and automated assessment tools. The solution was cost-effective and provided flexibility for individual learners and employers.

1. Responding to the upskilling
needs of the New Zealand
Financial Services sector
May 2011

2. Open Polytechnic financial advisor training
combines the best of distance learning and
technological innovation to deliver high quality
education outcomes.

3. Background
• Changed regulation
• Large scale national training need
• Short timeframe
• Need to maintain productivity
• Cost-effectiveness important

4. The project
• Blended distance flexible solution
• 16 courses, 500 hours of learning
• Print and interactive online resources
• Online self-evaluation tool
• Assessment only option
• Contextualisation for large organisations

5. Rapid stepped development
• Industry prioritisation of courses
• Matching development plan
• Rolling development and delivery
• Accommodate changing regulatory
environment
• Faster timeframes than previously

6. Pedagogically robust high quality blend
• Online resources
• Multimedia case studies
• Online quizzes
• Podcasts
• Forums
• Print resources
• Rigorous moderation
• Educational and industry experts
• Clarifies that staff cannot set up a website or social site that appears to be run by the Open

7. Real time automated assessments
• Customised open source (Moodle)
• Learners – instant feedback
• Minimise costs
• Link to student management system
• Random categorised question banks
• ‘Remember’ individuals’ questions
• Helpdesk support

8. Online self-evaluation tool
• Partnership
• polytechnic
• industry training organisation
• software company
• Assessment only option
• National survey of competencies

9. Cost effectiveness
• eLearning solution
• Automated assessment
• Distance economies of scale
• Large numbers
• Mass enrolments

10. Flexibility
• Individual fit around work and family
• Employer maintain productivity
• Choice of number of courses
• Choice of pace of study

11. Cross functional team
• Senior managers
• Project management
• Learning design specialists
• Academic and industry experts
• Open source developers
• Business development and marketing staff
• Enrolments and support staff

12. Industry connection
• Commercial model
• Industry relationships
• Contextualisation for large corporates
• Disaggregation to meet specific needs

13. Sustainability
• Long term view
• Licensing to other tertiary providers
• Contextualisation
• Competitive full fee option
• Relationship marketing
• Quality solution

14. Conclusion
Higher standard of financial
advice to the New Zealand
public