Countering financial crime roadshow

The events, which are free, will also explain how organisations can use National Occupational Standards. Attendance may be used to count as 3.5 hours towards Continuing Professional Development requirements.

Standard-setting body the Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC) is inviting views on the draft National Occupational Standards (NOS), which have been developed with representatives from the City of London Police, the Serious Fraud Office and stakeholders from within the financial services industry.

National Occupational Standards (NOS) are industry performance standards which set out requirements for effective performance in the workplace. They have a variety of uses which can save an organisation time and money. These include: recruitment and selection, competence assessment, training design and delivery, and drawing up person specifications and job descriptions.

With a Home Office report in July 2006 stating that financial crime costs the UK economy £20 billion per annum - roughly equivalent to £333 for every person in the UK - the financial services industry needs to develop a range of deterrents.

FSSC Director of Education Sam Rees-Adams said, "The importance of countering financial crime cannot be underestimated. The development of National Occupational Standards is an exciting and much-needed initiative which can contribute to helping the FSA and the markets to fight financial crime. I urge people who haven't yet been involved to attend an event or respond on-line and help shape the final standards."

The events will take place on:

Thursday 24 July, Leeds

Tuesday 29 July - Edinburgh

Wednesday 30 July - Belfast

Tuesday 5 August - Bristol

Thursday 7 August - Manchester

Tuesday 12 August - Birmingham.