Connect Network scheduled seven further training academies during 2019 following strong demand for its first specialist mortgage training event.

The first academy took place during the second week of March 2019. Attendees gave the course an average score of 4.96 out of five for its content and delivery.

Demand for places led Connect to increase the number of academies originally planned for the year.

At a Glance

Connect Network added seven mortgage training academies to its 2019 schedule after its first event received strong attendee feedback.

The programme was designed for:

• people entering mortgage advice;
• advisers returning after a career break;
• professionals moving from related property sectors;
• Connect Network members recruiting new staff;
• qualified advisers seeking specialist lending knowledge.

Training covered regulatory responsibilities, lender criteria and specialist areas such as buy-to-let, commercial mortgages, development finance and bridging.

When Were the Additional Connect Academies Scheduled?

Connect confirmed three further spring and summer academies:

• 29 April to 3 May 2019
• 20 May to 24 May 2019
• 17 June to 21 June 2019

Four provisional dates were also scheduled for later in the year:

• 2 to 6 September 2019
• 30 September to 4 October 2019
• 4 to 8 November 2019
• 2 to 6 December 2019

The expanded schedule gave new and returning advisers more opportunities to complete structured training during 2019.

Why Did Connect Network Schedule More Training?

The decision followed high demand for the first Academy and positive feedback from its attendees.

Mortgage advice requires more than product knowledge. Advisers must understand client circumstances, regulatory responsibilities, lender criteria and the practical steps involved in presenting an application.

The additional academies were intended to create a structured route into specialist mortgage advice. They also helped existing network firms train newly recruited staff.

This approach reflected a simple principle. Professional confidence should follow knowledge, supervision and practical experience rather than precede them.

Who Was the Connect Academy Designed For?

The Academy supported people from several professional backgrounds.

Participants included new advisers, mortgage professionals returning after a career break and people moving from related sectors. These sectors included accountancy, estate agency, lettings and property services.

The programme also supported appointed representative firms within Connect Network that wanted to recruit and develop new advisers.

Those entering through the Academy were expected to join the network after completing the initial course. They could then continue their training, mentoring and supervised development.

Further information about the programme is available through the Connect Academy for trainee brokers.

What Did the Mortgage Training Cover?

The Academy concentrated on the technical and practical knowledge required within specialist mortgage advice.

Course areas included:

• the mortgage market’s regulatory framework;
• adviser responsibilities and compliant working practices;
• understanding client circumstances;
• mortgage research and lender criteria;
• buy-to-let and specialist property finance;
• commercial mortgages;
• bridging finance;
• development finance;
• application packaging and supporting evidence.

The programme also examined how different lenders assessed specialist cases. This helped attendees understand why an application could fit one lender’s criteria but not another’s.

Structured research was therefore an important part of the course. Advisers needed to consider the customer, property, income, proposed borrowing and repayment strategy before identifying possible options.

What Support Followed the Academy?

Training did not end when the classroom course finished.

Candidates continued to receive mentoring and access to the Connect for Intermediaries team. The aim was to help them develop practical experience, meet the required competence standards and work towards Competent Adviser Status.

Ongoing supervision was particularly important for advisers dealing with complex or unfamiliar cases. It allowed knowledge gained during training to be tested through controlled practical work.

Connect Network also provides its members with compliance, business development and specialist placement support. Advisers considering membership can review the support available through the Join Connect Network page.

What Did Attendees Say?

Jack Carter said:

“My knowledge has increased greatly, and the academy has given me added confidence.”

Terence McCann said:

“The course was excellent and beneficial in all areas.”

Their comments reflected the programme’s focus on practical development as well as technical knowledge.

Building Skills Within the Mortgage Sector

Liz Syms, CEO of Connect, explained that demand for the first Academy had exceeded the available places.

She said the programme aimed to bring properly trained people into the mortgage industry while helping existing adviser firms grow.

The expanded 2019 schedule was therefore not simply a response to attendance figures. It was intended to create a more structured route into specialist mortgage advice and support consistent professional standards.

Connect Network members may also be included within the Connect Experts platform. The mortgage adviser directory helps consumers search for advisers by location, mortgage type, language and other practical preferences.

Connect Experts is a directory and matching platform. Mortgage advice is provided by the adviser or authorised firm selected by the customer.

Considering a Mortgage Network?

The 2019 Academy expansion demonstrated how structured training could support new advisers and growing mortgage firms.

Advisers can learn more about Connect’s lender access, compliance services, training and business support through its mortgage network services.