Whilst it is important to build knowledge in all areas, the current focus is – understandably – on achieving Diploma status

We believe that advisers need to either have – or be actively developing – an appropriate plan in preparation for 2013. In broad terms, advisers need to be working towards obtaining the necessary qualifications (so they can continue trading), amending their business model or preparing to exit the industry.

At Blueprint we’re helping our advisers – and have been for some time – to plan for the future. We‘ve recently seen a significant increase in the qualification progress and we are now funding all face to face training revision days. Over 55% of our advisers have already passed QCA Level 4 and several of these are on the road to join our growing number of advisers who are now Chartered. A further 32 advisers are on their way through the CII route and we have a group of 12 embarked on the IFS route this year. Overall, come year end, 90% of those who wish to continue beyond RDR, will be Chartered, Diploma or no more than 1 paper away from achieving Level 4. Unparalleled within the Network arena.

Such success has been delivered via a detailed and Blueprint-funded programme of training with development programmes in place for the CII and IFS qualifications. Support comes in the form of guidance in selecting the appropriate courses and ongoing study support, including study groups, technical support days and face to face revision days. You can find out more by clicking here.

As a network we are different in many ways. One such way is that we continue to embrace, and understand the importance of, a sales culture. Similarly we encourage the transfer of knowledge through the exchange of ideas and successful initiatives amongst members.

Employing people with extensive experience of our industry and of running their own businesses also provides a ‘knowledge bank’ – an on-tap resource, especially our sales and business development managers who work with our businesses on a face-to-face basis.

Don’t just take our word for it…

	“I doubt that any other network is doing as much as we are to help our business owners and their advisers to achieve diploma status.” Andrew Jacobs, Head of Risk