Upskilling the Financial Sector

In a recent interview with Cover Magazine's Tony at AIE 2020, Abbot Pfukwa, CEO of Octomate Education, detailed the company's journey and offerings in the education and training sector. Since its inception in 2009, Octomate has specialised in providing comprehensive training and skills development programs, particularly within the financial services industry. The company offers a variety of programs, including learnerships, internships, and preparatory workshops for regulatory examinations. One of their notable innovations is the RE5 Made Easy app, which has supported over 40,000 industry professionals in preparing for regulatory exams.

Octomate's educational offerings are diverse, ranging from traditional classroom-based learning to modern e-learning platforms, allowing flexibility for students to study at their own pace. They also offer continuous professional development (CPD) courses and specialised short courses designed to address specific skill gaps, such as data analysis using Excel. These programs cater to the evolving needs of the industry, ensuring that professionals remain compliant and up-to-date with current practices.

Beyond financial services, Octomate has expanded its curriculum to include courses in business analysis, local government, corporate governance, and risk management. This broadens their impact while maintaining a core focus on sectors closely linked to financial services.

During the conference, Abbot highlighted the importance of lifelong learning and the need for continuous upskilling in a fast-changing industry. He shared insights gained from keynote speakers, emphasising leadership qualities and the value of collaboration, even among competitors, to solve contemporary challenges. Abbot expressed appreciation for the opportunity to discuss Octomate's initiatives, aiming to contribute positively to the industry and the broader community.

The interview concluded with a hopeful note for the future, as Octomate continues to innovate and expand its educational services, preparing professionals to meet the demands of the ever-evolving financial landscape.

Key takeaways

• Focus on Financial Services: Octomate Education specialises in education, training, and skills development within the financial services sector, including banking and insurance.

• Diverse Educational Offerings: The company offers a wide range of programs, such as learnerships, internships, and regulatory examination preparatory workshops. They also provide CPD programs and e-learning options for flexible learning.

• Innovative Tools: Octomate developed the RE5 Made Easy app, which has been widely used within the industry to help professionals prepare for regulatory examinations.

• Practical Experience: Through their sister company, Octomate Asset Management, they provide incubator services, bridging the gap between academic learning and practical work experience, especially for unemployed individuals.

• Tailored Training Programs: Octomate offers not only full qualifications but also short courses and custom programs to address specific skills gaps, such as data analysis and compliance practices.

• Expanded Course Range: The company has expanded its course offerings beyond traditional financial services to include areas like business analysis, corporate governance, and risk management, applicable across various sectors.

• Importance of Lifelong Learning: Abbot emphasised the necessity of continuous education and upskilling in response to the dynamic nature of the financial industry.

• Leadership and Collaboration: Insights from conference speakers highlighted the importance of leadership qualities and the potential benefits of collaboration, even among competitors, to enhance solutions within the industry.