By: David Jenkins
One great strength of the Asset Management Pathway that IPWEA has developed is its integration with the World Partners in Asset Management (WPiAM) Global Certification Scheme.
After completing two specific asset management courses in the Pathway, participants qualify for WPiAM’s Certified Asset Manager Assessor (CAMA) certification.
This certification, combined with five years’ demonstrated experience in asset management, enables participants to apply for the Certified Practitioner in Asset Management (CPAM).
Furthermore, those with eight years’ real-world experience can apply for the prestigious Certified Senior Principal in Asset Management (CSAM) designation.
IPWEA encourages all eligible asset managers to apply for CPAM or CSAM certification, and here are five reasons why:
1) It provides international mobility. CPAM and CSAM are recognised internationally – in fact, they are considered the ‘gold standard’ in asset management certification. Adding one of these designations to your title helps establish your expertise, wherever you might be. For Australians interested in working overseas, CPAM or CSAM designation can help you establish dialogues with employers before you actually move. The same holds true for asset management professionals outside Australia who hope to work here.
2) It will make you a more attractive job applicant. Employers increasingly look for workers with CPAM or CSAM designation when making hiring decisions. Even if certification is not a requirement of the role you are applying for, it can give you a competitive edge over uncertified applicants. At present, there is a shortage of skilled asset managers globally and many jobs to be filled. But in future, if vacancies dry up, certification could prove to be a valuable way to stand apart from the crowd.
3) It will help you build a professional network. Whether you are looking to build a network within Australia or make connections with peers overseas, a WPiAM designation can open doors. It is a way to establish common ground with new connections and to identify counterparts who are similarly ambitious. There is also a searchable WPiAM register that allows you to identify qualified peers in different locations and at relevant organisations.
4) It demonstrates your commitment to the field. Whether you are settled with your current employer or actively looking for a new role, CPAM or CSAM certification sends a powerful message: that you are dedicated to your own professional development and understand the importance of skilling yourself at a level that is competitive globally. There’s no better way to boost your credibility with colleagues and peers.
5) It builds relevant competencies. Even if you choose not to publicise your WPiAM designation, obtaining it is still valuable. Why? Because getting certified is a means of checking that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to be a world-class asset manager. If you successfully qualify, you can feel confident that you possess the skills, knowledge and capabilities necessary to excel in your career, wherever it may take you.
Find out more about how the IPWEA Asset Management Pathway can boost your career at www.ipwea.org/pathway
