SII External Specialists Survey 2008: Results

Introduction In November 2008, the SII issued a survey to the 300 practitioners who volunteer to give up their time to help shape the development of the Institute’s exams and learning materials. Roughly a third of those surveyed responded and a summary of the results follows.

1. About the Respondents

Type of Specialist? The majority (43%) of the respondents are Exam Panel Members

What Grade of SII Member? The majority (42%) of the respondents are MSI members

How long have you been an External Specialist? 73% of the respondents have worked with SII at least 3 years. 34% have worked with SII for longer.

2. Rating of Existing Benefits Those surveyed were asked to rate their existing benefits on a scale of 1 - 4, with 1 being most important and 4 being least.

Attendance at Annual Event The most popular response was 2, at 37%, making this the single-most popular tangible benefit offered.

Networking Opportunities The most popular response was a tie between 2 and 3 (35% each).

Obtaining CPD Hours under SII Scheme This was not seen as a key benefit of being a Specialist

Payment of Honorarium Modest payments are made to item writers and editors. These are not seen as an important reason for assisting.

Keeping Up to date with Industry The majority of our External Specialists saw this as a key reason for becoming involved.

Contributing to the Industry This is clearly the primary reason that practitioners become External Specialists. 78% of respondents voted it 1.

3. Suggested New Benefits Next, those surveyed were asked to rate several proposed new benefits on a scale of 1 - 4, with 1 being most important and 4 being least.

Item Writer Training Courses The majority of the respondents feel these would be a valuable additional benefit.

Increased Honorarium Payments 31% of the respondents feel these would be a good additional benefit, but the spread was fairly even.

50% off SII Conferences There was a fairly even spread of results for this suggestion too, but the majority rated this a 3.

Thank-you letter to Line Manager SII suggested sending an official letter to employers, outlining the full extent of the work Specialists undertake voluntarily for the Institute. Responses were polarised around 1 and 4.

Conclusion Those that volunteer to become External Specialists for the SII do so out of altruism: they wish to give something back to their industry. The benefits offered are appreciated, but as most External Specialists are SII members, they are already enjoying a comprehensive benefits package. However, attendance at the Annual Specialists’ Event is seen as a welcome benefit.

Actions Arising: Website Resource The survey discussed the establishment of a dedicated website resource for External Specialists and asked for suggestions about what information this should contain. This website resource is now live and many suggestions were taken on board. Visit it now:

Actions Arising: Website Resource The website resource contains: Information on the different types of Specialists Information on the benefits Links to all SII exam subjects, including the syllabuses Useful documents page, featuring Terms of Reference, workbook samples, the application form, sample questions and more Panel meetings calendar Information on the Annual Event

Actions Arising: New Benefits Following on from this survey, the SII has now introduced: Item-writing training sessions (starting Spring 2009) 50% discount off all SII conferences Increased honorariums (from April 2009) Official Thank-you letter for Line Managers The SII acknowledges that the thank-you letter was voted 1 by 37% of respondents, but 4 by 30%, so it is clearly not wanted by all. The letters will be written and addressed to the employer, but sent to the Specialist directly (with their invite to the Annual Event) so that they can choose whether or not to forward them on. All Specialists will be provided with additional invitations so they can choose to invite their Line manager to the 2009 Annual Specialists’ Event.

Finally… On behalf of the SII, a very big thank-you to those that took the time to participate in this survey, and a huge For volunteering to work with us!