The Accord aims to make it easier for employers to identify suitable staff and contractors, easier for people to find work and develop their careers and promote mobility between sectors and regions.  In practice, it will provide a process for reviewing and comparing qualifications to which leading asset management organisations around the world will be asked to sign up.

David McKeown, IAM Chief Executive, says “the emergence of asset management as a global approach to delivering sustainable infrastructure and property portfolios creates high demand for people with relevant skills, experience and qualifications. This Accord will be applicable to all industries which depend on the availability and reliability of physical assets.  It will also add value to training organisations and educational institutions by enabling them to compare their programmes worldwide.”

IAM and AM Council have agreed to trial the Accord concept and methodology with a view to launching it late 2010. The trial will involve several leading providers of relevant qualifications including universities, training companies and professional bodies from Australia, Europe, Asia, North America and South Africa.  Qualifications offered by these organisations will be reviewed and compared by an expert panel to test the feasibility and benefits of the process described in the Accord

“This Accord represents an opportunity to create a logical and flexible approach to comparing asset management qualifications at a time when asset management has a key role to play in helping economies recover from economic downturn,” says AM Council Chief Executive, Sally Nugent. “The Accord is an excellent example of international collaboration in practice.”  She highlighted that an integrated approach to qualifications provided an opportunity to consolidate asset management’s position in mainstream corporate thinking.

Further information on the Accord trial is available from Chris Lloyd via email at chris.lloyd@theIAM.org or penny.burns@amcouncil.com.au.