We are building for continued recruitment across our network for the rest of the year and into 2021.
Investment in our award-winning Academy is driving increases in the number of trainees joining strengthening our position as one of the fastest-growing advice networks in the UK.
We believe employees affected by job cuts across the economy and also those hit by cutbacks in the financial services industry should look to the advice sector for retraining and job opportunities.
The Academy welcomes its next group of trainees this month with 31 expected to join in October, split between the Wealth and Mortgage programme, taking the total to a record 150 this year. We expect to have appointed 70 new Wealth advisers and 40 new Mortgage advisers from those who graduate this year, by the end of 2020.
This month sees the launch of new training in more soft skills and knowledge-based virtual sessions to prepare recruits for their new roles in firms.
Our Academy is achieving particular success in attracting people switching to second careers – the average age of candidates is 35. It is also improving gender diversity in the industry with women making up 36% of candidates.
Academy graduates are going on to success in their exams with a pass rate of 90% across all CII qualifications. Since July 1st when centres reopened the Academy has recorded 257 exam sittings.
Mike Morrow, Wealth & Platform Director said: “It is a worrying time for many employees across the economy and even in the financial services industry with major banks and insurers cutting jobs.
“At The Openwork Partnership we are very much focused on recruitment and are committed to increasing the number of advisers across our network to help meet the growing demand for financial advice.
“We are delivering on ambitious plans for expansion at the Academy for 2020 and into 2021 and are particularly interested in hearing from people looking to change their careers and to join a fast-growing business.”