Article

Who is this article intended for?

It is for the many people currently considering CeMAP training as the first step towards changing career with a view to becoming a mortgage adviser in the UK. This article will help you to assess whether you are yet ready for such a change, and if so, whether the role of mortgage adviser is the right career for you. 

Why am I writing it?

We receive many enquiries every day from people who, for one reason or another, are motivated to change their lives. It has to be said that their respective degrees of motivation vary very widely, with some people being in the early stages of disillusionment with their current lives, while others have reached the point of no return and are committed to taking action to improve their lives. 

What do I know?  

Since the early 1980s, I have been directly responsible for the professional development of countless individuals throughout all regions of the UK and also in Germany. Having worked at director level within a number of national mortgage brokerages and networks, and with a proven track record in providing the valuable skills necessary for success in the financial/mortgage industry, I am better placed than most to identify the qualities required by the aspiring financial/mortgage adviser. 

Why become a mortgage adviser?  

Most of us want to be active in a role that provides us with both financial rewards and the spiritual reward that comes with providing a service that genuinely helps people to improve their lives. The role of mortgage adviser can do both, remaining in demand regardless of the economic climate. When interest rates are high, many mortgage borrowers have a need to remortgage in order to reduce their household expenditure. When interest rates are low, many borrowers choose to remortgage to release equity for home improvement or for other projects. 

Mortgage adviser status?  

1. Self-employed: directly authorised with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) 

2. Self-employed: an appointed representative of an authorised mortgage network or brokerage 

3. Employed: a bank or building society representative Although all three options include pros and cons, most would consider option 3 to be the easier route, since this would pay a regular salary from the outset. Conversely, option 1 would be considered the toughest route by most people because of the need to buy in professional support services from the outset. Option 2 would represent an intermediate degree of challenge. 

What makes a successful mortgage adviser?  

Whichever path is chosen, all professional mortgage advisers require the following qualities if they are to be successful in their new career: 

- good people skills 

- good listener 

- genuinely empathetic 

- diligent 

- dedicated 

- hard working 

The right people already have the above qualities plus an enthusiasm to acquire the knowledge and learn the skills that are necessary to become a successful, professional mortgage adviser. In addition to the above life skills, the following are also essential: 

- the CeMAP mortgage qualification 

- compliance training 

- client analysis skills training 

- presentation skills training 

- customer service skills training 

Although these five essential skills will all be taught to the trainee mortgage adviser, the mortgage qualification is the first step and the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) is widely recognised to be the most appropriate route. 

CeMAP Training Options  

Firstly, it is not necessary for you to have any academic qualifications as a prerequisite to taking the CeMAP qualification, nor do you need to have any financial industry background. In fact, our courses are specifically designed to be appropriate to those with no relevant knowledge or experience. However, as well as professional guidance and support, you will need a strong desire to succeed. Our professional staff have been providing top quality CeMAP training since the qualification was first introduce in the late 1990s and we recognise that different people are suited to different learning styles. Furthermore, different personal circumstances make some training options totally impractical or impossible. For these reasons, Blue Cherry CeMAP Training provides three alternative formats for CeMAP training, as follows: 

1. CeMAP Intensive Study: classroom training for groups from 4 to 10 delegates 

- CeMAP1 course completed in 5 days with the exams to be taken within 10 days of course's completion 

- CeMAP2&3 combined course completed in 5 days with the exams to be taken within 10 days of course's completion 

- This schedule aims to help you to achieve the full CeMAP qualification within 30 days 

- We offer these courses at £495 each but with generous discounts for early bookings 

2. CeMAP Home Study: online distance learning for those who cannot take a week away from their other duties 

- CeMAP1 course completed at home at the student's own pace with the exam to be taken on the course's completion 

- CeMAP2 course completed at home at the student's own pace with the exam to be taken on the course's completion 

- CeMAP3 course completed at home at the student's own pace with the exam to be taken on the course's completion 

- This schedule aims to help you to achieve the full CeMAP qualification within 13 weeks 

- We offer these courses at £195 each with telephone and email support throughout your study time 

3. CeMAP Flexible Study: one-to-one training completed close to the delegate's home 

- CeMAP1 course completed over a 5-week period with the exam to be taken on the course's completion 

- CeMAP2 course completed over a 4-week period with the exam to be taken on the course's completion 

- CeMAP3 course completed over a 1-week period with the exam to be taken on the course's completion 

- This schedule aims to help you to achieve the full CeMAP qualification within 13 weeks We use training facilities within hotels throughout the UK, including London, Midlands, West Yorkshire, Newcastle, and the North West. 

Finally, beware when choosing a CeMAP training company, especially those firms who claim to be able to teach CeMAP in just two days. Other companies that should cause the alarm bell to ring are those asking for £X,000s in return for spurious business opportunities after CeMAP is completed. If these companies are genuinely confident about their ability to make you successful, they will not ask for money up front for anything other than CeMAP training. 

Blue Cherry CeMAP Training is a part of Blue Cherry Consultants Limited. We will guide you to CeMAP success and then remain available to you, at no cost, should you need any help with placement within the reputable networks or avoiding the disreputable networks. 

About The Author .... 

Anthony Judge is the Managing Director of Blue Cherry Consultants Limited. In addition to providing financial services training, the Blue Cherry Group has a national debt management division and a property investment division. Click this link to visit us at: Blue Cherry CeMAP Training for more information about our services.