Just Mortgages receives 750 applicants for Broker Academy

26 November 2020

Just Mortgages is holding an Academy in January to bring new blood into the mortgage industry. The broker firm has already received over 750 applicants for its Broker Academy, demonstrating the enormous interest in becoming a mortgage broker. The huge number of applications reflects the sentiment that there has never been a better time to be a mortgage broker.

Just Mortgages reported record demand in September and October has been another strong month for the housing market as thousands look to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday. The huge number of applicants to join the Broker Academy appears to be a result of the incredibly busy mortgage market combined with an increase in those looking to change careers.

This year, more than any other year, there has been applicants from a massive variety of backgrounds. From those with experience in finance, graduates from university to estate agents and taxi drivers. Just Mortgages is still taking applications however from people in the industry who are not already qualified as a mortgage broker but would like to be.

From those who have submitted CVs, selected candidates will be invited to send in a 60 second video explaining why they want to become a mortgage and protection adviser. Then a select group will be invited to a virtual assessment day where a number of activities and to assess their abilities in a team and individual environment.

The successful candidates will start five weeks of intensive training in January. During that time they will go from raw recruits with no previous experience in the industry to fully-fledged Just Mortgages brokers.

The trainees will come from across England and Wales and have a variety of different backgrounds and professional experience. The training will take place either virtually or in person, dependent on Covid, and the recruits will graduate from the Academy in February.

A blended learning approach will be used, with traditional classroom instruction backed up by Just Mortgages’ own Learning Management System. This allows trainees to study in their own time and provides a more dynamic and interactive learning experience. Just Mortgages has received accreditation to enable the trainees to sit the exams at the firm’s own training facility, Covid permitting.

The brokers also receive training in all the necessary technology, and advice on how to use social media effectively to drive new business and will be supported by Just Mortgages to become successful mortgage brokers.

John Phillips, group operations director from Just Mortgages said, “The Broker Academy has never been more popular. With the rise in unemployment, we are seeing vast amounts of people looking to train as a broker from all walks of life. At Just Mortgages we are keen to invest in the future of the mortgage market and expand the pool of talent coming in. Therefore, those who come through our Academy will be supported with all the training and mentoring they need to succeed as a mortgage broker.

“It’s great to see such a variety of candidates looking to become mortgage brokers, the housing market has remained robust throughout the pandemic and the amount of people looking to join the industry reflects this.

“There is no set path to becoming a broker and we are equally as open to recruiting graduates as we are to those who have experience in other fields. The key for us is a desire to learn and fantastic people skills. Our brokers need to be personable, alongside giving sound financial advice and we have been really impressed by the quality of applicants this year.”