Openwork expands training academy

The Academy welcomed 80 trainees in October, surpassing the total intake for the whole of 2018 and bringing the 2019 total to 193.

The programme helps people with no significant financial services experience to enter financial advice as a second career.

The cohort includes people with a wide range of professional backgrounds, including an airline pilot, teacher, car dealership manager, City trader, several graduates as well as a number of mortgage advisers moving into wealth.

This year Openwork increased its number of training centres to four with courses now available in Swindon, London, Manchester and Newcastle.

Claire Limon, director of learning and acquisition at Openwork, said: “We’re delighted to see such a fantastic number of people beginning their financial advice careers this month through our Academy programme. The rapid expansion of the programme is a testament to our commitment to increase access to advice across the UK, enabling people to receive the help they need to create and protect their wealth.

“As the increased demand for advice is set to continue into 2020, we’re looking forward to maintaining the fantastic momentum that our Academy has and eagerly anticipate welcoming many more trainees into our training centres in the next year.

“Expanding the number of advisers in the UK is vital and at Openwork we believe that all ages and backgrounds have the potential to make career changes and there is support available for anyone considering a new job in a different sector.”