AMP is set to increase the intake into its AMP Horizons adviser training program by 50% over the coming year.
According to AMP Horizons Director, Tim Steele, this projected growth (from 80 to 130 places) reflects the successful results the program has delivered via its intake programs to date, which have seen around 200 planners complete the program.
… a primary goal of AMP Financial Planning is to build its adviser base organically
Mr Steele told riskinfo that a primary goal of AMP Financial Planning is to build its adviser base organically and that the AMP Horizons program has become an integral element in delivering this organic growth.
The program itself has evolved into an intensive, eleven week ‘boot camp’, designed to fast-track suitable candidates into financial planning roles.
Acknowledged as not for the faint-hearted, Mr Steele said AMP now receives well over one thousand applications for each intake from those seeking career change and wishing to become financial planners.
the company is… extending its resources to allow for the 50% increase in participation for future program intakes
But while demand is clearly very strong, the January 2010 Horizons intake program (the eighth since inception) has been restricted to twenty candidates only, to ensure the calibre of candidates and quality of outcome is maintained. With such strong support, the company is therefore extending its resources to allow for the 50% increase in participation for future program intakes.
In addition to an extension of the program for those seeking career changes, AMP will shortly commence its first program intake for experienced planners seeking to ‘raise the bar’ in the nature and quality of the current services they provide their clients.
Mr Steele said that 75% of candidates who successfully complete the AMP Horizons training program will initially stay on with Horizons to hone their skills before moving to other practices within AMP Financial Planning or to commence their own practice.
Most of the remaining 25% join an existing AMP planner’s practice, while the rest move directly to start their own.
Candidates are free to determine the career path that best suits their personal circumstances: “Horizons has been built to support the development journey of a financial planner, but it is not intended as the ultimate destination,” said Mr Steele.
