Training and Development

Award in Pensions Essentials

The Award in Pensions Essentials (APE) is a level 2 qualification aimed at those new to pensions. Level 2 qualifications are equivalent to GCSE. The APE is a generic pensions qualification, it is not LGPS or public sector specific. There is no LGPS specific material. The APE is delivered by Barnett Waddingham, and awarded by the Pensions Management Institute (PMI).

APE Course Content

There are five compulsory units:

• Unit 1: Introduction to UK Pensions
• Unit 2: Disclosure Regulations & Whistleblowing for occupational pension schemes
• Unit 3: Occupational Pension Scheme Design, Investment and Administration
• Unit 4: Member Benefit Events and Rules for Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Schemes
• Unit 5: Member Benefit Events and Rules for Defined Contribution Pension Schemes.

You can view more detail on the contents of each unit on The Pensions Management Institute Qualification Specification.

APE Study and Assessment

Each exam cycle lasts five weeks. At the start of the five-week period the student begins to study the learning material. The exam session takes place at the end of the five-week period. A resit session will be scheduled for a few days after the initial exam for any students who require a resit. All five units should be passed within 12 months. It is estimated that the APE will require approximately 100 hours of study time (20 per unit).

Exams are conducted online, with cameras and microphones on. An invigilator is provided by Barnett Waddingham. There are two exam papers per unit (part one and part two), with 15 multiple choice questions per paper. 12 must be answered correctly to pass. Each exam is 45 minutes long, however, both parts of a unit are examined together so exam sessions last 90 minutes. The exam is open book, but students can only refer to the learning materials provided. Students are not allowed to use internet searches during the exam.

APE Cost

£950 plus VAT paid directly to Barnett Waddingham

The cost covers:

• Student registration with PMI
• Certification of completion
• All learning materials
• Six examination sessions
• Six resit sessions, if required.

Additional resit costs will be incurred if students do not pass both parts of all five units within the six examination and resit sessions.

Barnett Waddingham review their costs every 1 June. The costs above are correct as at 31 January 2025

How to register

If you are interested in your employees registering for the APE qualification, please contact [email protected]

Each cohort will consist of a minimum of 14 students

We will then pass your details to Barnett Waddingham who will then complete the registration process with you directly.

Induction training

Induction training is aimed at new employees of FRAs who need to understand the history of the Firefighters Pension Scheme and the relevant pension areas and actions needed within an FRA. 

Course content

• Introduction to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme(s) 
• Sargeant and Matthews remedies
• Contingent Decisions
• Retirement Process
  • Ill Health and Injury
  • Re-engagement
  • Protected Pension Age
  • Authority initiated retirement
• What else
  • Business as Usual
  • Local Pension Boards
  • Reference materials
  • Case law
  • Pension litigations - past and present

Course length

This will be a full day training event and is offered both in person and virtually 

Course cost

• In person - £295 plus VAT (inclusive of lunch)
• Virtual - £255 plus VAT

Dates of course

In-person training - 3 April 2025 - at 18 Smith Square, Westminster, London, SW1P 3HZ

Virtual training - 8 May 2025

*more dates and locations will be added. If your FRA is happy to host an event please contact [email protected] 

How to book

In-person training - 3 April 2025 

Virtual - 8 May 2025

Each session will be limited to 20 delegates.