News that the first graduates of Fidelity Life’s financial adviser training programme are now working in practices across the country generated significant interest among Riskinfo readers this week…

The first graduates of Fidelity Life’s financial adviser training programme are now working in practices across the country.

The firm launched Career connect in September last year to help attract new advisers to the industry.

Last week, Fidelity Life held a ceremony to celebrate the first 11 graduates of the scheme, all have achieved their level 5 certificate in financial services.

Fidelity Life Senior Solutions Manager Sarah-may Butterfield says five have already accepted positions, and seven are in discussions with adviser businesses.

“It’s great to see our vision for Career connect coming to fruition,” she says.

One graduate who’s already found a new role is Stephanie Wilson, she’s joined Insurance Market Collective as a Client Services Manager. The firm’s Director, Johny Winstone, was Wilson’s mentor. He saw the opportunity to be a part of Career connect as a way to grow his business.

Johny Winstone and Stephanie Wilson.
Johny Winstone, Director of Insurance Market Collective, and recent Career connect graduate Stephanie Wilson, Client Services Manager.

“Finding good talent is difficult and time consuming,” says Winstone. “Not only does Career connect help teach, train and qualify up-and-coming advisers, it enables us to support new advisers coming into the industry with confidence, knowing Fidelity Life has laid the all-important groundwork.”

The second Career connect intake started in July:

  • Pounamu scholarship – to assist an outstanding Māori applicant: Josh Los’e (Ngāti Maniapoto), Auckland
  • Kōwhai scholarship – to assist an outstanding Pasifika applicant:  Nimmi Valia, Auckland
  • Rangi Po Scholarship – to assist an outstanding applicant from other under-represented communities within financial services: Naveen Bhatia, Glenbrook.
  • Toe Toe scholarship – designed to assist an outstanding applicant aged 21-25: Kiri Venkatesh, Auckland
  • Pāua scholarship – to assist an applicant who demonstrates excellence in their submission: Chloe Balderstone, Lincoln
  • Rural scholarships, supported by FMG – to assist two outstanding applicants with a rural connection:
  • Sara Buerki, Dunedin
  • Alice Perry, Oamaru

Career connect focuses on attracting those from groups typically under-represented within the financial services sector and runs two six-month-long intakes each year. The current intake is due to complete their studies in December. To date, Career connect has received more than 110 applicants.

Pictured top: Career connect July 2023 graduates – from L-R: Marei Chaney (Pounamu scholarship recipient), Jan Bliss (Rangi Po scholarship recipient), Sonelle Labuschagne, Sarah-may Butterfield (Fidelity Life Senior Solutions Manager and Career connect lead), Jae Viliamu (Kowhai scholarship recipient), Stephanie Wilson, Eduardo Ferreira, and Anthony Gobbie (Director of Insurance Design).

See our report: Hunt Starts For Next Generation of Advisers