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Positive Solutions Partners To Nominate Candidates For Pioneering Apprenticeship Scheme
09/12/2008
Printable version
Printable version
Positive Solutions Seeks Nominations From Partners
Positive Solutions has taken a major step forward in the creation of its ground-breaking Apprenticeship Scheme by seeking nominations from Partners for candidates with the ambition to become qualified IFAs.
The scheme of 20 candidates - with half based in Manchester and half in London - will provide information and insight into the planning of a national scheme that will begin rolling-out in 2009 and is ultimately intended to bring hundreds of new recruits each year into the industry.
The initial intake is for non-graduates who will be selected using a national benchmark 'entrance' test. Formal induction into the scheme will be in early December.
Apprentices will each have an individual training plan tailored to their needs and experience. Courses will last between one and two years with trainees working towards the Chartered Insurance Institute's Certificate in Financial Planning.
Each candidate will receive a mix of one-to-one, on-the-job and regular classroom training. They will be mentored by their sponsoring Positive Solutions Partner until signed-off as competent. Training and assessments will be delivered by industry specialist assessors (ISAs) from Skill Solutions, the largest training provider accredited by the CII, with performance reviewed by Positive Solutions' in-house training experts.
"The Apprenticeship Scheme will underpin Positive Solutions' organic growth in the years ahead. It has been created to support the needs of our Partners by developing a flow of new and ambitious IFAs to help them manage and grow their businesses over the long-term," said Positive Solutions marketing director Keith Gilmour. "We know the Partner appetite exists and are anticipating significant demand for the initial 20 places on offer.
"The experience of this initial scheme will be integral to the development of a major national Apprenticeship Programme, aimed at a broad range of potential recruits including graduates, paraplanners and those focusing their careers on specific sectors such as mortgages, long-term care and retirement advice.
"At a time when the UK public has never been in greater need of trustworthy, independent advice, this pioneering initiative will help enhance consumer access to high quality financial advice.
"As the UK's largest national IFA firm, no-one is better placed to do this than Positive Solutions," concluded Gilmour.
Judith Furlong, Business Adviser at Skills Solutions (Business & Financial Services Sector) added: "The Apprenticeship partnership with Positive Solutions will enable existing administrative personnel and paraplanners, as well as new entrants to the industry to gain nationally recognised qualifications supporting the development of a new breed of Financial Advisers.
"Skills Solutions are really excited about the potential of the partnership with Positive Solutions and the CII to bring new blood into our industry, to national standards in a structured framework supported by government funding."
The Chartered Insurance Institute said it is an active supporter of Apprenticeships as a cost-effective route to professionalism. "We work closely with providers and employers such as Positive Solutions that are committed to developing their workforces in a number of ways," noted Steve Jenkins, Director of Financial Services.
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The scheme of 20 candidates - with half based in Manchester and half in London - will provide information and insight into the planning of a national scheme that will begin rolling-out in 2009 and is ultimately intended to bring hundreds of new recruits each year into the industry.
The initial intake is for non-graduates who will be selected using a national benchmark 'entrance' test. Formal induction into the scheme will be in early December.
Apprentices will each have an individual training plan tailored to their needs and experience. Courses will last between one and two years with trainees working towards the Chartered Insurance Institute's Certificate in Financial Planning.
Each candidate will receive a mix of one-to-one, on-the-job and regular classroom training. They will be mentored by their sponsoring Positive Solutions Partner until signed-off as competent. Training and assessments will be delivered by industry specialist assessors (ISAs) from Skill Solutions, the largest training provider accredited by the CII, with performance reviewed by Positive Solutions' in-house training experts.
"The Apprenticeship Scheme will underpin Positive Solutions' organic growth in the years ahead. It has been created to support the needs of our Partners by developing a flow of new and ambitious IFAs to help them manage and grow their businesses over the long-term," said Positive Solutions marketing director Keith Gilmour. "We know the Partner appetite exists and are anticipating significant demand for the initial 20 places on offer.
"The experience of this initial scheme will be integral to the development of a major national Apprenticeship Programme, aimed at a broad range of potential recruits including graduates, paraplanners and those focusing their careers on specific sectors such as mortgages, long-term care and retirement advice.
"At a time when the UK public has never been in greater need of trustworthy, independent advice, this pioneering initiative will help enhance consumer access to high quality financial advice.
"As the UK's largest national IFA firm, no-one is better placed to do this than Positive Solutions," concluded Gilmour.
Judith Furlong, Business Adviser at Skills Solutions (Business & Financial Services Sector) added: "The Apprenticeship partnership with Positive Solutions will enable existing administrative personnel and paraplanners, as well as new entrants to the industry to gain nationally recognised qualifications supporting the development of a new breed of Financial Advisers.
"Skills Solutions are really excited about the potential of the partnership with Positive Solutions and the CII to bring new blood into our industry, to national standards in a structured framework supported by government funding."
The Chartered Insurance Institute said it is an active supporter of Apprenticeships as a cost-effective route to professionalism. "We work closely with providers and employers such as Positive Solutions that are committed to developing their workforces in a number of ways," noted Steve Jenkins, Director of Financial Services.