New IRM Awards support portfolio-based learning in risk management

The new IRM Awards reflect how risk learning needs are changing. As risk responsibilities are now shared more widely across organisations, professionals at all stages of their career need flexible ways in which to build, refresh and extend their risk knowledge. Rather than following a single linear pathway, many learners and employers now seek focused learning that addresses specific risks and complements existing capability.

The IRM Awards are designed as accessible and self-contained units of learning that allow individuals to build a portfolio of relevant skills and knowledge over time as part of their ongoing professional development. They support selective and targeted development, enabling learners to focus on those areas most relevant to their role, sector or organisation, while also supporting employers to strengthen risk understanding across teams.

Shorter than IRM’s established qualifications, the IRM Awards provide structured and assessed learning that fits around the realities of modern working life. They’re intended to sit alongside the IRM’s broader learning offer, including the International Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management, thereby allowing risk professionals to combine foundational learning with more focused development as their needs evolve.

Flexible approach

Commenting on the launch, the IRM’s CEO Ian Livsey stated: “As organisations face increasingly complex and fast-moving risks, professionals need practical learning that can be built up over time. These new IRM Awards support a more flexible approach to learning, enabling individuals to strengthen specific areas of risk knowledge, while also helping organisations to build capability across their workforce.”

The IRM Awards support professionals at different career stages, including those developing specialist expertise, those taking on new risk-related responsibilities and also experienced practitioners seeking to update or broaden their knowledge.

Each IRM Award provides a recognised outcome that contributes towards Continuing Professional Development and demonstrates practical understanding of risk concepts relevant to the workplace.

The initial IRM Awards being launched are as follows: 

IRM Award in Managing AI Risks in the Workplace 

This is a 30-hour qualification for individuals who use, oversee or are affected by Artificial Intelligence (AI) at work. The IRM Award explores how AI is applied in organisational contexts internationally, the opportunities it presents and the legal, ethical, operational and reputational risks it introduces. Learners gain an understanding of how these risks can be identified and managed within existing organisational risk frameworks. The IRM Award is suitable for risk professionals, managers and teams using AI as part of their everyday work. 

IRM Award in Managing Organisational Risks 

30-hour introductory qualification providing a foundation in identifying and managing organisational risk. It’s designed for individuals across sectors who need a clear understanding of risk terminology, common risk types and practical approaches to managing risk in the workplace (including the use of simple risk registers). The IRM Award supports both individual development and organisation-wide risk awareness.

IRM Award in Financial Services Risk Management 

This new 90-hour qualification is aimed at individuals working in – or seeking to move into – financial services roles globally. The IRM Award introduces the regulatory environment, key risk types and risk management practices relevant across banking, insurance and wider financial services organisations, in turn supporting longer-term professional development within the sector.

Distance learning 

All IRM Awards are delivered through self-directed distance learning via the IRM’s virtual learning environment, making them accessible to learners worldwide. Each programme concludes with a multiple-choice examination delivered through Pearson VUE Test Centres.

Successful candidates receive an electronic IRM Award certificate and IRM Affiliate membership, providing access to IRM resources, publications and professional content.

The IRM Awards form part of the IRM’s wider learning pathway, supporting progression across qualifications, training and professional membership grades. They’re designed to support ongoing development throughout a risk professional’s career, rather than replace existing programmes.

Reflecting on how the IRM Awards fit within the IRM’s wider approach to learning, Barbara Amponsah-Abedi (director of IRM Qualifications) noted: “These IRM Awards provide flexible and practical learning that professionals can build into their development over time. They allow learners to focus on relevant risk topics, while at the same time creating clear connections to further study, qualifications and professional recognition across the IRM’s learning and membership pathways.”

*Further information is available online at www.theirm.org