Essential information for those new to the pensions education portal
- What is the pensions education portal?
The pensions education portal features a free elearning programme 'Public Service toolkit', from The Pensions Regulator (TPR) developed to help those running, or working with, public service schemes (as defined in section 318 of the Pensions Act 2004).
- How do I get access to the pensions education portal?
You’ll need to register and create an account. This will enable you to save your progress and print a personalised development record which records your progress and achievements. If you already have an account with the Trustee toolkit and you are not a trustee, you are able to add the Public Service toolkit to your Trustee toolkit account. Log in to your account to add the toolkit.
- How does the learning work?
The public service schemes programme is split into separate courses so that you to dip in and out of the content and learn at your own pace.
Each course contains:
- 'elearning module' including a technical tutorial and interactive case studies
- ‘check your scheme worksheet’ to help you apply the learning to your own scheme
- ‘assessment’ to test what you have learnt from each course
- various activities relevant to the course such as templates, examples and exercises. You can complete the exercises as an individual or as part of a group exercise
If you are a novice we recommend you start with the elearning module to cover the technical background of the course topic.
If you are more experienced we would recommend you start with the assessment to test your knowledge. If you pass the assessment there is no need to complete the elearning module. Once you have attempted the assessment you will be able to review this and find out which questions you got right or wrong.
- How long will this take me to complete?
Each course should take no longer than one hour to complete. Each elearning module should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
To help you plan your studies you can download a quick guide to personal development alongside a learning needs analysis tool, learning log and study planner available on our website. Download the tools.
Public Service toolkit queries
- The design of the module has changed, why is that?
In June 2016 we upgraded the Public Service toolkit to improve some aspects of the module. This included:
- a new look and feel to bring the navigation and design in to line with our other learning modules such as the Trustee toolkit
- an improved glossary function, making it easier to look up terms at any time whilst in the learning module
- a new module menu to help you see your progress whilst working through the module
- removing the need to disable pop-up blockers to open the module, it now opens in the same page
- Why should I use the Public Service toolkit?
The programme has been designed to help those running public service schemes(as defined in section 318 of the Pensions Act 2004) to understand the governance and administration requirements in the public service schemes code of practice.
As you complete courses you will be able to print your development record which shows your progress and achievements to evidence your learning. From time-to-time we will update modules or add new learning activities, so it is worth revisiting the toolkit often to get up to date and print an updated development record.
- How long will this take me to complete?
Each course should take no longer than one hour to complete.
Each elearning module should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
To help you plan your studies you can download a quick guide to personal development alongside a learning needs analysis tool, learning log and study planner available on our website. Download the tools.
- How do I open a course?
You simply select the course you wish to open from the ‘Your learning’ screen. You will then be taken to the course page where you can open the available learning materials for that topic. The elearning module will open in a new window.
If the module does not open it may be being prevented by a pop-up blocker. See: 'I am trying to open a module but nothing happens' for more information.
- Should I complete the courses in order?
No, it is up to you in which order you complete the courses.
- How should I work through each course?
It is up to you how to work through each course.
If you are a novice we recommend you start with the elearning module to cover the technical background of the course topic.
If you are more experienced we would recommend you start with the assessment to test your knowledge. If you pass the assessment there is no need to complete the elearning module. Once you have attempted the assessment you will be able to review this and find out which questions you got right or wrong.
- Will I be tested?
Throughout the elearning module you’ll be asked questions so that you can confirm that you have understood the learning points. Sometimes you will be asked questions where thinking through the topic yourself and having a go at answering the question is the learning. It does not matter if you get these questions wrong as you will be provided with detailed feedback.
There is also an assessment for each course. Once passed the course will be added to your development record with a status of 'passed'. You can take the assessment as many times as you like and the highest score attained will be recorded. You do not have complete the elearning module in order to try the assessment. Once you have attempted the assessment you will be able to review this and find out which questions you got right or wrong.
- How do I demonstrate what I have learnt? What is the development record?
It is important to keep records of your progress with gaining the required knowledge and understanding. When you first create your account a development record will be available for you to download. To begin with this will be blank but as you pass assessments, courses will be added to your record with a status of 'passed'.
- Do I have to complete all the learning to take the assessment?
No. You can just take the assessment and if you achieve a passing score your development record will be updated with this achievement.
- Where can I find the assessment passmark?
The passmark is given on the course page above the link to 'Try assessment and review results'
- Can I see which assessment questions I got wrong?
Yes. In March 2016 we added a new feature in response to customer feedback. From the course page you can now select to 'Review previous assessments'. This will show you your assessment history. You can then select individual attempts to review.
This history was available to you before March but you could not review your previous attempts.
The review will now show you each question, your response and whether this was correct or incorrect to help you to focus your learning next open the elearning module.
- Do I need to send my development record to you?
No, there is no requirement to send your development record to TPR, it is for your records only.
- How often is the toolkit updated?
The toolkit will be updated as and when changes to pensions legislation or industry practice dictate. We will notify you of any significant changes in advance via email provided you have selected ‘yes’ for email notifications.
- Is the programme mandatory?
It is not a mandatory requirement to complete the programme. However it is one way of learning about the governance and administration topics covered in our code of practice for public service schemes. Find out more about the knowledge and understanding duty on board members..
- Does the toolkit provide a recognised qualification?
No, the Public Service toolkit, and development record, is not a recognised qualification.
- I've found some incorrect information, who do I tell?
Please can you contact our Customer Support team either by telephone on 0345 600 5666. Or by email via:customersupport@tpr.gov.uk
Profile queries
- What should I do if I have a question about my own scheme?
The learning will trigger you to apply the learning to the day-to-day practical running of your own scheme, particularly when you are working through the ‘Check your scheme’ worksheet.
We would suggest you read through your scheme documents first and if you still have questions, raise them with your fellow board members, scheme manager or scheme administrator.
- Why does TPR ask me to supply personal information?
When you sign up for the pensions education portal, you will be asked to provide information which includes your name, your role and an email address.
This information allows us to provide you with a development record and inform you of any future releases of the toolkit and encourage you to complete the toolkit.
- What happens to my personal information?
Data protection information
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) is a data controller for the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. We process personal data we hold for the purpose of the exercise of any of our statutory functions and objectives. We may also process personal data under other legislation such as the Fraud Act. This includes, for the avoidance of doubt, taking regulatory or enforcement action for breach of any of these legislation.
When you sign up for the Pensions Education Portal, you will be asked to provide information which includes your name and your role. This information allows us to provide you with a development record and will inform you of any future releases of the e-learning programme and encourage you to complete it. Providing this information is not a statutory requirement, however if you do not provide your information you will not be able to proceed with using the Pensions Education Portal.
We will only store your personal data for as long as TPR’s retention schedule allows. During this time, you may be able to exercise certain rights in relation to your personal data such as the right to access, objection and data portability. If you feel that we have handled your personal data in a manner inconsistent with your rights, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
If you have any questions about how we handle your personal data please contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO) by email at dpa@tpr.gov.uk or you can write to us at Napier House, Trafalgar Place, Brighton, BN1 4DW. Further information on how your personal data is used, kept secure and your rights can be found by reading our privacy notice.
Technical queries
- I am trying to register for the pensions education portal but I get an error message saying my email address is already registered.
The Public Service toolkit (via the pensions education portal) and Trustee toolkit are essentially the same system, so if you already have a Trustee toolkit account and you are using the same email address to register for the pensions education portal, the system will tell you that you are already registered. If you are not a trustee you can add the Public Service toolkit to your existing Trustee toolkit account by logging in to this account and selecting 'Add Public Service toolkit' from the Your learning screen.
- I can't open the downloadable PDFs
You’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed on your computer. You can download this free from the Adobe website.
- I've found a broken link, who do I tell?
We do check all the links in the programme from time to time however sometimes pages do move on external websites which break the links. Please can you email us via: customersupport@tpr.gov.uk. It would be useful to let us know which course the broken link was in, which activity (elearning module, check your scheme PDF etc) and what the link was for.
- Can I have a hard copy of the programme? I want to learn offline
The elearning modules and assessments are designed to work online. However we appreciate not everyone likes to learn in front of a computer so we have made all of the learning content available as PDFs which can be downloaded, saved or printed so you can learn offline. You can also use these to help you in your role.
The assessment will need to be completed online so that your score can be calculated and saved and your development record updated once passed.
- I do not have access to the internet at work or home
The pensions education portal is freely available on the internet at no cost. If you do not have internet access at home or work, you should be able to access the portal from public computer terminals, for example from libraries or internet cafes.
- How can I change my password/email address?
To change and update your new email address/personal information you will need to log in to the portal using your current information.
You can do this by selecting your name in the top right corner of the screen and selecting 'Profile' from the drop down menu. Here you can view your current details and if you need to make any changes, you can select 'Edit profile'.
When you have finished editing your profile information don’t forget to select ‘Update profile’ at the bottom of the screen to save your changes.
- My development record does not show my name or scheme name
You provide the details of the name you would like to appear on your development record and your scheme name on your profile. You can do this either by selecting your name at the top of the screen and then selecting ‘Edit profile’ or from both the ‘Your learning’ screen you can select ‘My profile settings’ and then ‘Edit profile’. You will need to enter your name and scheme name under the section ‘development record’.
When you have finished editing your profile information don’t forget to select ‘Update profile’ at the bottom of the screen to save your changes.
- What is the date printed on my development record? What is the development record date of issue?
The date printed on the development record is date is the date it was printed.
The issue date, shown on the development record summary screen, is the date your development record was first created for you to print.
- I have forgotten my password
On the ‘Log in’ screen select the ‘Forgotten your password?’ link. You’ll then be asked to enter the email registered to the account. You’ll be asked to enter the answer to your security question. If correct, you’ll then be asked to provide a new password.
If at any point you enter an unknown email address or do not answer the security question correctly you’ll need to call our Customer Support team for help on 0345 600 5666.
- I wish to deactivate/delete my account
You’ll need to provide us with confirmation that you wish for your account to be deactivated (where it can be reactivated later upon your request) or deleted (you will need to re-register) in writing.
Or you can write to us:
The Pensions Regulator
Napier House
Trafalgar Place
Brighton BN1 4DWFax: 0870 2411144
We will need to verify you are the account owner before we act upon the request, so please provide us with a telephone number and email address so we can contact you if required.
- I am having difficulty with the programme and I cannot find the answer in your help. Where can I get further support?
You can call our Customer Support helpline on 0345 600 5666. This support is available Monday to Friday 9am until 5.30pm. Or you can email via: customersupport@tpr.gov.uk
- What screen resolution has the programme been optimised for?
The toolkit has been optimized for 1024x724 screen resolution.
- What is the minimum bandwidth required?
The elearning modules are optimized for users with a minimum bandwidth of 256kbps. Although it will function when accessed via a 56kbps modem, performance is likely to be significantly degraded.
- Does the programme use audio and/or video?
Not currently.
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Last modified: Wednesday, 23 May 2018, 3:51 PM