Training as a debt advisor

[MelanieGiles]

You cannot pay to become a seasoned debt advisor - unless you equate this in terms of hours spent in the field. I have been doing this work for 25 years now, and still learn something new most days. However, good quality training leading to professional examinations is also a vital part of career development as well.

[kallis3]

You may find that some debt advice firms are willing to take you on and train you while you work.

However, I doubt the pay would be very good to start off with.

[alnoor]

I want to become debt advisor bur 4K is lot of money to pay for course. I would like to ask Andy if he knows any compnay who provide on the job training or where get trained?

[MelanieGiles]

Any debt company looking to recruity will provide on the job training, so if you are serious keep an eye on the job centre or situations vacant pages in your local paper or on the internet.

[Julie]

I wonder if debt companies posting on here would consider posting vacancies...could that be an option?

[kallis3]

There were some on here earlier in the year Julie, but they seem to have disappeared.

[MelanieGiles]

I certainly would be happy to advertise any vacancies in my firm. In fact, I am currently looking for someone to do general office duties, reception, data processing in my office in Cardiff - so if anyone is interested please give me a call.

[Skippy]

If I lived in Cardiff I'd apply!

[MelanieGiles]

You would be too good for that job Skip - you would be one of my main proposal writers!

[Skippy]

Thanks Mel! If you ever open an office in the South East let me know!

[Julie]

The days I'm having in work at the moment Mel...I'd be tempted to give you a call [:D][:D]

Be great if any vacancies could be advertised....it can be a nightmare trwaling through different websites.

[MelanieGiles]

I would employ you ladies tomorrow if I had the right opening. You would be great in this profession, and should keep your eyes peeled for opportunities.

[maiston]

Hi all - first ever time in a forum, so here goes.

Last weekend, I too went to Reading for an 'interview' with Debt Advisor College (although they have changed their name and now trade as Debt Advisor Skills, and are directly linked to, and probably part of, localdebtadvisor.co.uk.) Their nice (rented by the day probably) offices gave a good impression, and all the 'examples' used in the interview to convince me that I could earn over £3k per month had a familiar ring to them, and looked like a lot of other companies who are only selling a training course with no real prospects after the training. You will always be self employed, so cannot rely on the 'employer' for anything. I too take an aptitude test, and the next day was told not only had I passed with a mark of 100%, but was told that most people fail this test - which is probably 12 years old standard! Also, I was told I was one of only two people being considered for the 'job', and my interviewer fought for me, and after a lot of persuasion managed to get me the position.(all designed to boost my ego) Great. All I have to do now is give them £4k for my training, at the end of which I will receive a 'diploma', which, by their own admission is recognized by no-one. After training, I was promised, I would receive a minimum of 15 leads a month from localdebtadvisor.co.uk, which is the trading name for Forbury Financial Ltd, a company set up less than a year ago. I have no doubt that all these companies deliver what they say, but 15 qualified leads per month and £3k part time - give me a break. If it was that easy they would be doing it themselves and really coining it.

My advice - stay well away, keep your money in the bank, and look for something that doesn't promise the earth but only delivers worms!

Sadly, these people do manage to convince many people that this is the dream job they have been looking for all their life. The result - £4k out of pocket, despondent, bitter, and kicking themselves for being conned (again probably).

Hope this helps anyone else who is thinking of answering the ad promising £125-£1000 per job as a Debt Advisor.

Just remember the old adage - Caveat Emptor, or Let the Buyer Beware!

[IVA Victim]

In case this helps : Debt Colleges Ltd trading as Debt Advisor Colleges have had a County Court Judgement registered against them. This one was on 9th Novmeber 2009 for £3,950. Could that be a disgruntled "trainee" re-claiming their "training fee" ? The address given in the Court was : Davidson House, Forbury Square, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EL.

[size5]

Interesting reading, very interesting indeed.

I would reiterate at this point that this line of work, for me anyway, is extremely rewarding in terms of job satisfaction, I look forward to coming into work everyday. However, it is not for everybody, and there are moves afoot through people like the DRF to make sure that all its members customer facing staff are trained and have recognised qualifications, at the very least to a minimum standard. The qualification I am doing at the moment consists of 3 modules which require, certainly for anyone new to the industry, 60 hours study for each, and don't forget that that is for a minimum standard. That is all well and good and a welcome step forward, but the point really is that the knowledge needed to do this job far exceeds what could be learned in an aptitude test and assumedly a day or two course.

As maiston points out, if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

Regards.