No more Catch 22

OFTA, the trade association, trainers of financial adviser qualifications provides a bridge over the entry barrier to the profession.

In his August address to members Director General, Stephen Kerbel said ì15 years ago there were over 140,000 advisers now I doubt if there are 50,000 with an average age above 40, but just look at the hundreds of jobs offered for mortgage and financial advisers. Following years of investment in regulatory compliance, re-training and cpd, trainee budgets have drained away. Companies seek best value investing in graduate programmes and role specific qualifications. The industry knows qualifications do not ensure quality staff. Employers want job applicants with a track record. Itís Catch 22 again. Without professional qualifications, no job and no track recordî.

OFTA also provides a job placement service and currently has 150 starter jobs on its books with more on the way. The International Broker Certificate programme places trainees in them, then it provides skills training as well as mortgage and financial adviser training and qualifications.

Competition for places is fierce and for the successful costs are made affordable through Career Development Loans.

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