State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) has announced the launch of “ETF Ed”, an interactive online learning resource designed to advance advisors’ understanding of exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

SSgA has built on its SPDR University platform with the launch of ETF Ed.

The resource builds on SSgA’s existing “SPDR University” platform, which provides investment professionals in the US with up-to-date market analysis, actionable investment ideas and a range of educational modules.

Jim Ross, executive vice president at SSgA and global head of SPDR ETFs, said: “With the ETF universe expanding rapidly, investors have questions about trends and how new products can be applied and implemented in a portfolio.”

He added: “What is revolutionary about ETF Ed is that it evaluates where the knowledge gaps are for the investment professional and creates a very customized syllabus that helps fill those gaps. It is self-paced and designed to guide the user through various lessons to develop and strengthen their ETF expertise. It’s a resource that’s unlike any other in the industry.”

The new resource offers a short ETF knowledge assessment that explores an advisor’s knowledge of a range of topics including total cost of ownership, index methodology, liquidity, asset allocation and product structure. Following the assessment, users receive a customized learning program, through which they are able to earn Continuing Education (CE) credits, that is designed to advance their knowledge of everything from ETF basics and mechanics to portfolio construction.

Through a series of self-paced courses, from ‘What is an ETF?’ and ‘How Does An ETF Work?’, to ‘Tactical Uses of ETFs’ and ‘Optimizing ETF Execution’, advisors can challenge themselves, track their progress and then apply their new skills to investment portfolio construction.