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Advice NI Celebrates 20 Years of Wiseradviser Training

We are delighted to celebrate 20 years of developing and delivering Wiseradviser NI Training in Northern Ireland. When we first started delivering Wiseradviser Training back in 2004, (in partnership with the Money Advice Trust), we only offered one course which was Introduction to Providing Debt Advice. By the end of 2004, we had delivered four runs of this course and trained forty-five participants. Fast forward two decades and we are the leading provider of money and debt advice training across Northern Ireland and currently offer over sixty-five training courses via face to face, virtual and online formats. In this year to date the number of participants attending training is 428 (196 f2f/virtual and 232 online).

The need for Wiseradviser Debt Training is greater now than ever before with the effects of the pandemic still being felt and given, we are still amid a Cost-of-Living Crisis, which is not likely to end until 2027. Having to budget for higher costs has resulted in increased debt levels and a rise in stress and anxiety for many people. As an umbrella organisation providing a training service, we constantly thrive to keep up to date with debt related industry standards and do our best to meet both debt advisers and members training needs. In the past year for example we developed new training programmes on the following areas: Surviving Economic Abuse (New online course), Consumer Duty (New section added to Understanding and Supporting Clients in Vulnerable Circumstances course to meet FCA mandatory requirements) and 5 New Supervisor Skills Webinars.

As a result of Wiseradviser training, our debt advisers are kept up to date with sector and legislative changes, as well as training to meet arising needs, and therefore can provide a top-quality debt advice service to their clients. Outcomes from our training demonstrate that not only are the knowledge, skills and confidence of debt advisers positively impacted by Wiseradviser NI, but the learning is implemented in practice, for example, utilisation of training materials and improved confidence in advising clients. This is evident in both the evaluation responses from our virtual/face-to-face training and advisers testimonials below.

 

Evaluation Responses:

  • 100% of participants expressed an increase in knowledge because of the training.
  • 99% of participants who believe the training helped to improve their confidence in providing advice or information to others.
  • 99% of participants who believe the training helped to improve/refresh their skills in the subject area.
  • 99% of participants who felt training has helped them in their work.

 

Testimonials:

  1. The Wiseradviser Training Courses are a great support to debt advisers, who are dealing with clients in sometimes very dire situations on a daily basis. The Wiseradviser courses provide advisers with the confidence and tools necessary to support clients and also help us as advisers to identify when clients are in crisis and when external intervention is required.
  2. The Wiseradviser training I attended during the 2023/24 year has been essential to ensure my knowledge and approach is up to date and that I as a debt adviser meet all quality and industry expectations.  The training is easy to follow, immersive and enjoyable. This improves my debt knowledge and confidence and therefore enables me to advise the wide range of client cases I deal with.

 

Note: Results refer to 2023/24 year.

We are also excited to announce our New Wiseradviser Training Calendar for 2024/25 is now available for booking. We would highly encourage all members, staff, and the wider community sector to attend our Free Training whether you want a refresher or want to stay informed and up to date of debt developments. If you are new to debt advice or the sector or we hope the information below will helps answer any questions you may have if you are considering Wiseradviser training. Any other queries please email wiseradviser@adviceni.net or visit https://wiseradviser.org/northern-ireland/

 

What is Wiseradviser?

Wiseradviser offers free training for debt advisers in Northern Ireland who provide a free debt advice service, therefore improving the quality and consistency of advice in Northern Ireland.

 

What are the benefits and why should I choose Wiseradviser?

  1. Expertise Enhancement: Wiseradviser provides comprehensive training, enhancing advisers’ knowledge and skills in debt management, financial literacy, and related areas.
  2. Accreditation: Successful completion of Wiseradviser courses leads to recognized qualifications, boosting advisers’ credibility and employability.
  3. Access to Resources: Participants gain access to a wealth of resources, including up-to-date information, tools, and templates for effective debt advice.
  4. Networking Opportunities: Wiseradviser facilitates networking among advisers, allowing them to share experiences, best practices, and collaborate on complex cases.
  5. Agency Support: Free money advice agencies benefit from Wiseradviser’s support, ensuring their advisers are well-trained and equipped to assist clients effectively.

 

Is Wiseradviser training only for Debt Advisers?

Whilst the main remit of Wiseradviser training is to train debt advisers, a lot of our Wiseradviser training courses will benefit ALL advisers working with vulnerable clients and facing financial difficulties. The training and its valuable resources will also benefit and support debt supervisors and managers and enable them to better meet the needs of their staff/advisers. Some of the courses are therefore very beneficial to non-debt adviser’s roles and if you need any further advice on a particular course, please visit https://wiseradviser.org/northern-ireland/ or contact wiseradviser@adviceni.net

We would like to thank all those who have attended Wiseradviser training over the past twenty years and we hope we can continue to deliver this training for several years to come!