Advice firm launches training program

Partners Wealth Group has announced it created Associate Advisor Academy – a program which intends to improve the soft skills of novice financial advisers.

According to the firm’s head of wealth George Hluchaniuk, businesses are typically concerned that tertiary-based education courses are not equipping new employees with practical skills and knowledge.

“While graduates are leaving university with all the right technical and compliance skills, they are not being taught how to work effectively with clients. Neither are they being taught the key fundamentals of critical decision making,” he said.

“There is a lot of scrutiny and clients expect much more engagement from their advisers than was previously the case.”

The new program is available to associate advisers working in practices across Australia and is designed to help transition participants from support roles to adviser positions.

The course is delivered one day a month in a classroom setting and via Skype.

Mr Hluchaniuk said participants are taught, for example, how to make a first impression, build rapport with clients and understand personality types.

He added that the course is not designed to turn associate advisers into "high pressure salespersons".

“They are also taught how understand the demographics of their client base and how to more effectively work with them,” he said.

“Advisers need to understand these differences and to respond accordingly.”