Maximizing HR Potential through Continuous Learning with Rachel Olson

Unlock the potential of continuous learning in HR with Rachel Olson, Director, CEBS Program Development & Operations at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans as she guides us through the robust CEBS program and its designations.

Listen as Rachel unpacks the necessity for professionals to stay ahead of the ever-evolving landscape of employee benefits; showcasing the program's strategic partnership with the Wharton School and Dalhousie University.

In her role, she is responsible for the implementation of strategic directions to increase participation rates in the CEBS program, growing the community of benefit professionals as part of ISCEBS and raising awareness of the CEBS credentials.

She earned her CEBS designation in 2019. Rachel has degrees from Marquette University including a master’s degree in Organizational Communication and an undergraduate degree in Public Relations.

Questions for Rachel include:

• What are the similarities and differences between the three designations offered by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans: GBA, RPA, and CEBS?
• Who is an average student in the program?
• How do these designations benefit employers?
• What are the online study groups with instructor support and can you tell us more about the success package?

We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.

Transcript

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Exploring the CEBS Program and Designations

Speaker 1 0:03

Welcome to the HR Chat Show , one of the world's most downloaded and shared podcasts designed for HR pros , talent execs , tech enthusiasts and business leaders . For hundreds more episodes and what's new in the world of work , subscribe to the show , follow us on social media and visit HRGazettecom .

Speaker 2 0:26

Welcome to another episode of the HR Chat Show . I'm your host today , bill Bannum . Joining me on this episode is Rachel Olson , director CEBS Program Development and Operations at International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans . In her role , rachel is responsible for the implementation of strategic directions to increase participation rates in the CEBS program , growing the community of benefit professionals as part of the ISEBS and raising awareness of the CEBS credentials . She earned her designation in 2019 and has degrees from Market University , including a master's degree in organizational communication and an undergraduate degree in public relations . Rachel , it's my pleasure to welcome you to the show today .

Speaker 3 1:17

Well , hello Bill . Thank you so much for having me . It's a pleasure to be here . I appreciate the opportunity .

Speaker 2 1:22

So , beyond my reintroduction there , rachel , why don't you start by taking a bit of time and telling our listeners all about yourself ?

Speaker 3 1:29

Sounds great . Well , again , my name is Rachel Olson and I hold the CEBS designation . I work for the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans . We're based out of Wisconsin and I am the Director of CEBS Program Development and Operations . So in my role , I work to ensure that everyone in the industry is aware of the CEBS program , of the credentials that we offer and the benefits that they provide , not only to individuals , but also to employers . As we know the ever-changing employee benefits industry , it's critical to stay on top of current content , and that's what CEBS offers through the courses that are available . We have tremendous academic partners , great content and different topics that are covered in each of the courses through the modules . So I'm here today to talk a little bit more about that with you and make sure that all of your guests are aware of the opportunity that's available to them .

Speaker 2 2:20

Okay , wonderful . So usually at this point I ask my guests to talk a bit about the mission of their organization . I feel like we just got a sense of that then . So maybe you can delve more into the why of the IFEVP . Why are you doing what you're doing ? Why is it important to help people in the ways that you do ?

Speaker 3 2:37

I think what's important to note is that the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans really is a premier educational organization and through the work that we do in educating them those in the employee benefits industry we touch the lives of over 25 million workers throughout the US and Canada . So by offering the ongoing educational opportunities that are available through the International Foundation and the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists , we're really touching the lives of all of those people . The industry is ever changing and our offerings are meeting the needs of professionals in the human resources industry and in employee benefits . So we're pleased to be able to offer all the different , various types of educational opportunities , whether that's in person , that's through webinars , whether that's through programs like the CEBS program that we'll be talking more about today . It's important that we're able to meet people where the education is needed .

Speaker 2 3:31

I guess the next question for me is why you guys ? What makes you guys stand out ? How are your designations perhaps more prestigious than others out there ?

Speaker 3 3:39

So what's important to note about the CEBS program is that we work with two very strong academic partners to deliver our curriculum .

Speaker 3 3:46

Cebs is offered both in the United States curriculum and a Canadian curriculum , and we partner with the Wharton School in the United States and Dalhousie University in Canada and , as our academic partners , they develop all of the curriculum and the exams for the courses , and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans serves to administer the CEBS program . So CEBS has been around in the United States since 1976 and we've been around in Canada since 1986 , and we pride ourselves in being structured to meet the flexible demands of our students and with providing online access , which we'll talk about in a little bit . We feel that we're able to develop and provide a program that enables students to learn more about the employee benefits industry and the ever-changing topics that are critical to their success in their day-to-day business , and by offering the program in a way that they can apply what they're learning immediately in their workplace , so that they're taking their knowledge and putting it in practice right away , which is beneficial to not only the employee but the employer as well .

Speaker 2 4:52

Thanks for listening to this episode of the HR Chat podcast . If you enjoy the audio content we produce , you'll love our articles on the HR Gazette . Learn more at HRGazettecom . And now back to the show . Regular listeners of this show will know that even though I've got a silly accent , I am a proud Canadian as well . I've been to Nova Scotia . It is beautiful . I think that's where Dalhousie is based in .

Speaker 2 5:18

What a lovely part of North America . Okay , so let's talk a little bit . It is right We'll talk now , if you don't mind , a bit about the similarities and differences between the three designations the GBA , the RPA and the CEBS . Tell us more .

Speaker 3 5:35

Yes , well , we're pleased to offer three specific designations as part of the CEBS program . The three designations that are available to our students include the GBA , which is the group benefits associate designation , the RPA , which is the retirement plans associate designation , and then the CEBS , the certified employee benefit specialist designation . So the CEBS program is made up of five particular courses , both in the US and in Canada , and to earn the CEBS designation , a student will complete five exams . Once they've passed those five exams , they are then a CEBS graduate . We also offer , as I mentioned , the GBA designation , which consists of three courses , and the RPA designation , which consists of another set of three courses . So students have an opportunity to earn either all three of those designations , one of those designations . They really have the opportunity to make the decision on how they're going to move through the program . What I'd like to do is speak a little bit about what they can anticipate to learn in each of those courses if they're working towards those specific designations that I mentioned . So , if an individual is working on the group benefits associate designation or the GBA , for example , I wanted to highlight just a few of the topics that are covered and the content that they can Plan on learning and mastering as they take those courses . So I'll speak to both the US content and the Canadian content , but within the GBA one course there are content in the US that covers managing employee benefits risks , as well as consumer directed health plans , behavioral health care benefits and health care regulations , and Then , on the similar side of things in the Canadian curriculum , within the GBA one course , students learn about designing , funding and administering benefit plans . They learn about pricing of group insurance products and establishing renewal rates for group insurance . So those are just a few of the topics that are available within the GBA one course in both of those curriculums .

Speaker 3 7:42

Within GBA two in the United States , for example , there are topics including disability income programs and life insurance concepts and policy options , and in the Canadian curriculum , topics include managing short-term income replacement benefits , disability plans and flexible benefit plans . So those are offered within GBA two . And again . Then , looking at GBA three , which is the third course that makes up the group benefits associate designation , there are topics in the US that include things such as plan documentation requirements , overseeing and managing plan audits , managing health care issues and social insurance , and Then on the Canadian curriculum there are topics that include provincial , territorial health care insurance benefits in health management and Aligning benefits with the strategic compensation framework . So each of those courses and I just touched on a couple of the topics that are that are Part of each of those courses but each one is made up of 10 to 12 modules of content . That's covered and Provides a very solid basis of knowledge for an individual that's looking at earning the group benefits associate designation and it's ideal for those that deal with health and other group benefits .

Speaker 3 9:01

If we take a closer look at the retirement plan associate designation , this is one that's really meant for those who work with defined contribution and defined benefit plans or Are involved with the management of plan assets . So if we take a look at the curriculum that's offered in both the US and Canada , in the RPA one courses in the US students would be focusing on topics including DC and DB structures and and executive retirement arrangements , including small employer retirement plan alternatives , and on the Canadian curriculum , they'll be looking at topics in the RPA one that includes designing registered pension plans , retirement savings plans and deferred profit sharing plans and complying with pension standards legislation and optimizing plan funding . The second required course that's part of the GBA curriculum or , excuse me , that's part of the RPA curriculum is is focusing in the US on portfolio management issues , insights from behavioral finance and Hybrid retirement plan approaches , and the retirement plan course number two in Canada . There are topics such as applying portfolio management techniques , implementing a statement of investment policies and procedures for a defined benefit and a defined contribution pension plans and also accounting for behavioral dynamics and investment decision-making . And then the third course that makes up the retirement plan associate designation is Also the GBA RPA three , which we just recently discussed as part of the group benefits associate designation . But it's important to note that there are additional modules that are covered that are part of the RPA designation , and those include thinking through a risk management lens in the Canadian curriculum and integrating risk management into strategy setting and execution , and In the US curriculum it's taking a closer look at the ERISA regulatory framework and federal taxation of employee benefits .

Speaker 3 11:05

So if individuals are looking at earning one of those two designations , that really gives you a deeper dive into the type of content they would be learning as they work through each of the modules of the courses . Now the CEBS designation itself is made up of all five of the courses that we just discussed , so it's made up of the GBA 1 , the GBA 2 , the GBA RPA 3 , the RPA 1 , and the RPA 2 course . So by earning the full CEBS designation , a student will have completed all five of the exams and has mastered all of the content . That I just reviewed a segment of what's offered in each of those courses , but it's a great basis of knowledge for individuals at any stage of their career for earning the designation . It's a tremendous way to stay up to date on the industry and to master the content that's offered in each of those five courses .

Speaker 2 12:00

Okay , very good , thank you very much . Okay , so it's good for anybody . People should get involved , but do you have a particular demographic of people that perhaps make up the majority of your students , or what is your average student persona for the program look like ?

Speaker 3 12:18

That's a great question to ask more about the average student that's taking part in the CEBS program , and I'm pleased to say that we really have a wide demographic of individuals that are participating because of the benefits that the CEBS program offers to them .

Speaker 3 12:34

So you certainly will find that a number of those people that are taking part in the program may have a few years of experience in the industry and they're looking at growing and how to move in their professional career , so how to enhance their knowledge base to help them professionally .

Speaker 3 12:49

We also have a lot of early career professionals who maybe didn't necessarily anticipate working in the field of employee benefits and now that they had this opportunity , this CEBS program provides them with the knowledge that they'll need to again continue to grow professionally and establish themselves within the industry .

Benefits of CEBS Program for Employers

Speaker 3 13:11

So when we're looking at the individuals that are taking the CEBS program , it really does run a wide range of individuals and the program was built in a way that students are able to master it . Some students move through the program quickly . It was built and developed so that it could be completed in three years or less , depending on if a student is earning either the GBA , the RPA or the full CEBS designation . But the flexibility of the program really is appealing , I think , to those individuals that are early career professionals , that are well established in their career and are looking at taking the next step . So we're pleased to be able to offer a curriculum that meets the needs of all those individuals .

Speaker 2 13:53

Okay , so I think you've touched on it a little bit before , but I spent it out for us . How do these designations help employers ? What are the benefits to employers of their employees going through your curriculum ? Tell us more about that .

Speaker 3 14:07

Yes . So when we're looking at what's in it for the employer as they're looking to support their employees working through the CEBS program , there are six key areas that I really wanted to talk about . One of them is the ability to measure and recognize job knowledge so , as an employer , they can take a look in advance and they understand and appreciate the different modules that are covered in each of the courses and they'll know what their students are walking away with learning as they're taking part in CEBS . Another important thing for employers to consider is the recognition and the motivation that working through a program like CEBS gives to their staff . So it shows the commitment the employer is making to that employee , the importance of their role and their willingness to commit to their ongoing professional education . We've also noted that for an employer , you can see increased productivity and service from an employee . They're motivated to see that you're supporting them and we're helping them work through professional development , which is critical as well .

Speaker 3 15:05

Likewise , hand in hand , I think that it certainly improves morale among employees as they're working towards earning a designation .

Speaker 3 15:12

There's great satisfaction I can tell you personally from working through the program as you are , for example , if you're earning the full CEBS designation and you earn one of the milestone designations .

Speaker 3 15:24

The GBA , for example , was the first that I earned and there was a great boost in my morale and my excitement to continue on with earning the full designation . One of the other critical points for employers to consider and I think that's a great benefit to them is improving retention , and so an employee who feels as though their employer has devoted their interest in their professional development certainly will help to retain that employee longer in their role and help them to grow professionally in that organization . And then another important point to consider for employers is increasing client satisfaction . So it's great , I think , if you are able to tell your clients that you have CEBS graduates as part of your team or GBA or RPA designee holders as part of your team . It speaks very highly to the type of education that your employees have and the knowledge that they have in the industry , and that certainly helps an employer as they're looking at recruiting new business . It's certainly a great advantage to have individuals that have this sort of knowledge base .

Speaker 2 16:31

Obviously , you guys are all over it when it comes to making sure that there are lots of options for support online , and those include the online study groups with instructor support . Can you tell us more about the success package there ? What are they about ? How do they work ? How do they help folks ?

CEBS Program and Study Group Overview

Speaker 3 16:48

CEBS program was built as a self-study model and , in addition to being available to individuals as self-study , we do offer online study groups with instructor support , and those groups are led by CEBS graduates that are employees in the benefits industry , and we offer these courses three times per year . So there are three different sessions that are available one in the spring , one in the summer and one in the fall . They run for 12 weeks each session and they're offered for each of the courses , so there's one for all of the five courses in the US curriculum and one session for all of the courses in the Canadian curriculum as well . But the online study groups really do help to enhance the self-study approach to the program and they give our students the opportunity to access the instructor and ask individual questions of the instructor as they're working through . The way the online study groups are structured is that they are offered over a 12-week period and that coincides nicely with the number of modules that are being offered in each of the courses . So each week covers a different module of content . So , for example , if a student is in the GBA one course , module one will be covered in week one , and so on . There are instructor notes that are provided to students as part of the online study groups , as well as the opportunity to weekly review the material with the instructor and your peers who are taking part in the program . Interaction with fellow students is made available to you through discussion boards , so it's a great opportunity to pose questions to others as you're working through the material and learn from one another . It's a great support system , I think , as students are working through the program . There's also games and activities to strengthen students' knowledge and understanding of the material and the content that are offered that are only offered through the online study groups with instructor support , so it's a great additional beneficial way to master the content as you're preparing for the exam and , in addition , there are sample quizzes that are available through these study groups , so another way that students can master each module is they move on to the next .

Speaker 3 18:59

As we look at the CEBS courses , one of the questions that were asked quite often is how much time should a student plan to prepare for a particular exam with a course , and one of the ways that we present that to our students is to really use the way that the online study groups with instructor support have been developed as a guide , so we recommend that students spend about a one week of time studying each module and then so that puts them at about 12 weeks , and then , at the end of that 12 weeks , about two to three additional weeks of time to go back and review anything that they may need a refresher on any areas that they maybe are having a little bit of difficulty with . What's so great about the CEBS program for our current professionals is the flexible options and the ways that they can prepare . So , in addition to the print study guide that they receive , they also have an online digital access to the study guide , so it meets the needs of today's learner . They're able to log in and access the information whenever they have the opportunity to do so , and these online study groups with instructor support are an added educational tool that are optional for students to consider , and one of the things that's important to note is that students are able to join the online study groups with instructor support at any time throughout the 12 weeks , so someone may be moving through the program using the self study approach and decide along the way .

Speaker 3 20:26

Oh , I really think I could benefit from the added structure that these online study groups provide , and I feel like I would benefit from the interaction with my peers and with the instructor . Notes and support , so students are able to join the online study group at any time throughout the 12 weeks , still have access to all of the material that's already been covered at that point . And then everything moving forward , and the online study groups are offered 24 seven , so a student can log in at any time and have access to the information . There are two live review sessions that are available during each of the 12 week sessions , and those live review sessions are also recorded , so if a student isn't available at that given time , they're able to come back and watch the recording and learn from it that way as well , but they really do provide a strong additional study tool for our students who are interested in taking part in them .

Speaker 3 21:18

And then the other portion of your question spoke to our success packages , and we are pleased to offer the success packages as a discounted approach to the CVS program , and they're offered in both the US and the Canadian curriculum .

Speaker 3 21:32

They offer a 20% discount when a student purchases several of the key pieces that are needed as working ahead in each of the courses . So in the Canadian curriculum , for example , it will include purchasing the online study group with instructor support that we talked about , as well as the exam , and that's purchased through the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and that's offered at a discount of 20% . And then , likewise in the United States , there is also a success package that's available with a 20% discount that includes core pieces of the curriculum that are needed for the student to be able to move through each of the courses , and the success packages have been very well received . I think it's a great way for students who are first getting started in the program , or even those who maybe have already taken a course or two , it's a great way to consider moving forward in their next particular course through the program .

Speaker 2 22:28

Excellent , and just finally for today , Rachel , how can our listeners connect with you ? So maybe that might be your email address . Maybe you might want to share LinkedIn I bet you're super cool and all over TikTok and places . And , of course , how can they learn more about the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans ?

Speaker 3 22:45

Yes , we would certainly love for anyone to reach out to us for more information on the CEBS program , as well as all of the different educational opportunities that are available through the International Foundation . I did mention earlier as well the International Society of Certified Employee Benefits Specialists , and I want to make sure that our listeners are aware that , as a student or a graduate of the CEBS program , it's an exclusive opportunity to become a member of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists , so once an individual purchases their first exam , they're able to join that organization , which , as well as a great networking opportunity for individuals . There are chapters that are available throughout the United States , in Canada , so it's a great way to interact with people that are in your geographic location , but also provides great resources , webinars , other ways to stay current on the employee benefits industry , even after someone has earned the designations . So I just wanted to make sure I was sharing that information as well . If you'd like to reach out , we do have a certified employee benefit specialist page within LinkedIn , so it's a great way to connect there , and you can also reach out to us directly , to our customer service department , who's able to assist with any questions about how do I get started in the program .

Speaker 3 24:00

Maybe you can talk to them a little bit about your experience so far in the industry and where might be a great place for you to start . So that's available at CEBS at ifebporg and you can also reach out to me directly . Again . My name is Rachel Olson and my email is rolson at ifebporg . I'm happy to talk to you further about either getting started in the program . Maybe you've taken a few courses in the past and you're looking at getting started again . We can talk through what your experience has been with the materials you've already covered and where would be the best place to get started . So we're here as a resource . Please utilize us . Please visit our website at ifebporg and learn more about everything that the foundation has to offer .

Speaker 2 24:47

Rock and roll . Thank you very much . That was very comprehensive , Rachel . I have enjoyed chatting with you today . I do appreciate your time . Thank you very much for being my guest on this episode of the HR Chat Show .

Speaker 3 24:57

Thank you , bill , I appreciate your time .

Speaker 2 24:59

And listeners as always . Until next time , happy working .