"It is essential that we bring some new blood into the industry to take the profession forward, or in ten years’ time we will be facing a woeful shortage of advisers."
Just Mortgages will run a series of four week courses which will introduce people to the basics of mortgages and protection and take them through to complete their CeMap One qualification.
They can then carry on to more comprehensive training by Openwork, of which Just Mortgages is an appointed representative. The aim is to put at least 25 people through the courses this year and more if demand is there.
Following two pilot training courses which took place earlier this year in Luton and Dartford, the first official course will take place in either Bristol or Cardiff on 15th June.
Future training courses will be held around the country in Bedford, London and Sheffield.
Just Mortgages says it has been surprised by the variety of ages and backgrounds. Some are mums coming back into the workforce while others already work in the mortgage industry and want to go from being a BDM for example, to being a fully-fledged mortgage adviser.
Antra Ektermane successfully took part in one of the pilot training academies earlier this year and is now a mortgage and protection adviser for Just Mortgages in South East London. She says, “Despite having a Masters in Finance, I didn’t have my CeMAP qualification when I applied for the role at Just Mortgages last year. However, the training academy offered a mix of theoretical and practical training and, as a result, I am now a fully qualified mortgage adviser."
John Phillips, group operations director for Just Mortgages and Spicerhaart, commented: “Look around any room of mortgage brokers and you’ll see the average age tends to be somewhere in the 50s. It is essential that we bring some new blood into the industry to take the profession forward, or in ten years’ time we will be facing a woeful shortage of advisers.
“The industry as a whole needs to up its game, but Just Mortgages is determined to lead the charge and play its part by setting up these training academies. The initial plan is for four academies this year, but we will expand on this if the demand is there.”
