" Even for people with a mortgage qualification, there is an incredible amount a mortgage adviser needs to learn about researching the specialist market "
As well as trainee advisers, the academy is open to brokers returning to the industry after a period of absence, accountants, estate or letting agents and other individuals experienced in property who want to make the move into advice.
The academy is also open to existing members of Connect’s network to want to grow their businesses by taking on trainees or other new staff.
The academy will cover:
• Core compliance training including money laundering, data protection and treating customers fairly.
• Specialist knowledge including calculating buy-to-let rental affordability, HMO and multi-unit properties, bridging finance, commercial and business funding.
• How to research the market including how to understand a credit file, accounts and complex income how to use different research tools, presenting solutions and closing the sale.
• Generating leads covering social media, email marketing and advertising as well as how to generate referrals.
• Submitting business with the applications process, undertaking risk checks, complying with the highest documentation and customer service standards and tracking cases.
A further seven courses are planned throughout the year, with the next course being held in May.
Liz Syms, CEO of Connect for Intermediaries, said: “We desperately need to bring new advisers into the mortgage market, and there is an ongoing need to continually raise standards in the specialist mortgage market. Even for people with a mortgage qualification, there is an incredible amount a mortgage adviser needs to learn about researching the specialist market and providing advice.
“The Connect for Intermediaries academy successfully achieves all of those things, raising standards, introducing new blood into the industry and helping our existing adviser members to grow their own businesses.”
