You’re reading the Study Guide for your CEBS® course, and you notice the first Key Term in the module. “I wish there were a flashcard for that,” you think to yourself. Put down your pen and deck of index cards! Enroll in a CEBS Online Study Groups With Instructor Support to have access to a library of Study Tools created and curated by an expert instructor to support your learning journey, including printable flashcards, instructor notes, audio overviews and so much more. Follow the syllabus to make sustainable progress. Check your learning with interactive games and quizzes. Engage with your instructor and classmates to get clarification and share study tips.
CEBS Online Study groups are an optional offering designed to augment the self-study approach. Offered over a 12-week session, Online Study Groups set a schedule for your CEBS studies and are facilitated by established and experienced CEBS professionals.
What does an online instructor do?
Your online instructor has many roles, including:
- Designing all content and activities in your class to help you retain knowledge and study for your CEBS exam
- Facilitating live review sessions
- Monitoring the discussion forum to provide clarification and guidance to learners
- Creating discussion questions for each module and Benefits in Action Mini Case to stimulate engagement and enhance learning about employee benefits
- Sharing their real-world experience about being a benefits professional
- Answering questions that students submit via the discussion forum, email and private message.
A Chat With Patricia Noble, CEBS
Patricia Noble, CEBS
Director of Policy, Research and Labour Market Analysis
Post-Secondary Education Training and Labour, New Brunswick
How has earning the CEBS designation enhanced your career?
“Earning the CEBS designation gave me a solid understanding of pensions, benefits, compensation and human resources, and helped me see how those pieces fit together to support both employees and organizations.
The designation has strengthened my knowledge, increased my confidence and connected me with a community of professionals who share an interest in the employee benefits field. Throughout my career, I’ve continued to draw on what I learned through the program, and I’ve found the knowledge to be both practical and enduring.
For me, CEBS is more than a designation. It’s a program that encourages continuous learning and provides a strong foundation for anyone who wants to make a meaningful contribution in the workplace.”
What will benefits professionals learn from taking GBA/RPA 3?
“One of the things I enjoy about GBA/RPA 3 is that it encourages students to think beyond plan administration and consider the bigger picture. The course explores how benefits and retirement programs support organizational goals, employee well-being and workforce sustainability. Students learn about governance, financing, risk management, and the factors organizations need to consider when designing and managing benefit plans.”
Are there any interesting current events, regulatory updates or industry trends related to concepts the GBA/RPA 3 course explores?
“There has been a growing focus on employee well-being in recent years, and I think that’s one of the most interesting trends affecting the profession. Organizations are looking beyond traditional benefits and considering the broader employee experience, including mental health, financial wellness, flexibility and inclusion.
At the same time, employers are facing challenges related to changing workforce demographics, rising costs and evolving employee expectations. These pressures are creating important conversations about how to design benefit and retirement programs that remain relevant, sustainable and responsive to employees’ needs.”
What are your best study tips for CEBS students?
“Start early and be consistent. Trying to learn everything at the last minute can be overwhelming. The material is very manageable if you give yourself enough time to absorb it.
I also encourage students to think about how the concepts relate to their own workplace. When you connect the material to real-life situations, it becomes easier to understand and remember.
Most importantly, don’t be discouraged if some topics seem challenging at first. Stay curious, ask questions and keep moving forward. Every course builds on the one before it, and the effort is well worth it.”
Why would you encourage benefits professionals to earn the CEBS designation?
“What I find most rewarding is hearing from students who are able to apply what they learned immediately in their workplaces. The program provides both breadth and depth of knowledge, and it helps you develop a strong understanding of issues that affect employees, employers and workplaces. For me, the value of CEBS goes beyond the designation itself. It’s about developing the knowledge and perspective needed to make a meaningful contribution throughout your career.”
