Training Pension and Benefits Managers at Centennial College

Making the right investments after retirement and during the span of your career is very important to anyone working in Canada and around the world. Professionals employed in the Pension and Benefits Management sector of the financial industry make those intelligent decisions a lot easier. That’s because these experts, who hold Graduate Certificates from colleges, help to solve issues related to pensions and employee benefits.

But just how does the job of a Pension and Benefits Manager work? First and foremost, people working in this field help in the planning of necessary documents, which ensure that you know exactly where your hard-earned money is going and what will happen once it is invested. They also prepare annual government returns and help in tax reporting and loan processing. But, essentially, the job boils down to helping a person to ensure that his or her investment incurs optimum profits. Therefore, those in Pension and Benefits Management can be hired virtually into any company, especially larger organizations with benefit and pension plans.

Those who enter Pension and Benefits Management should possess a few skills that will ensure success in the field. First of all, good communication skills are essential. You will be required to explain complicated financial terms to people who are investing money that they have worked very hard to obtain. Therefore, you must be able to communicate efficiently and effectively for the best results. As with any other financial field, an affinity for numbers is necessary. Crunching percentages and interest rates as well as money-related numbers is an everyday part of a Pension and Benefits Manager’s job. Lastly, you must be organized, as you will be sorting through different investment plans, employee benefit outlines and other such documents.

The road to success in this field, however, starts with a reputable program such as Centennial College’s Pension and Benefits Management. In order to apply, you must first submit an official transcript that demonstrates proof of successful completion of a post secondary advanced diploma or degree program. In some cases, Centennial College will consider applicants presenting a combination of partial post secondary education and relevant work experience, open to all disciplines. Also required are an interview and resume a well as English proficiency.

Once you are accepted into the program, you can expect to be prepared for career success in the total benefits sector of the financial services industry. Students learn industry leading CEBS curriculum, which is supplemented by graduate level instruction in Project Management, HRM and Accounting. Emerging trends and issues in the field are also addressed, including changing legislative requirements. Lastly, case studies, simulations, project-based learning with a focus on developing project management, teamwork, report writing and presentation skills are taught. Professionals who have extensive experience in all related fields lead the courses. So, students not only get a great education, they also hear helpful anecdotes from the field.

All of the aspects of Centennial College’s Pension and Benefits Management program are designed to prepare graduates to enter the workforce right away. Past graduates have attained work as analysts and researchers, consultants, labour relations coordinators and salary/ wage analysts.