If the proposed changes from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) announced in November 2010 are given the go-ahead, then the demand for CeMAP home study and full-time training courses will rocket – making it all the more important to choose a quality CeMAP training provider.
At the 2010 Mortgage Business Expo, the Director of Conduct Policy for the FSA announced plans to ensure that anyone involved in the sale of a mortgage has a Level 3 mortgage qualification (CeMAP). Whether mortgage lenders look to invest in their staff or alter their mortgage lending process to involve more qualified mortgage advisors instead, either way, more people will need to take CeMAP training courses.
Within any industry, there is always some reluctance on the part of a firm to invest in staff training due to the worry that the staff member may then leave once their training is complete. Plus, full-time training courses mean more expense as well as time away from regular day to day work. It is no surprise then that distance learning options have always been popular.
Doing a CeMAP home study course is, for most people, the cheapest and easiest way to improve their job prospects within the mortgage market. It is the qualification required to become a mortgage advisor and, if the FSA proposals are approved, it will also become the qualification required to have a meaningful role in the mortgage field at all.
CeMAP home study courses show prospective and current employers alike that a person is capable of showing initiative and of motivating themselves towards a goal. Yet it is not enough to choose any old CeMAP home study course. To ensure you choose a quality distance learning CeMAP course, look for a training provider who is approved and works with mortgage lenders of a reputable name.
The CeMAP syllabus is updated twice a year and so it is paramount that your CeMAP home study materials are not only easy to understand and to learn from, but also contain the latest, most accurate information. Consider also whether any tutorial support is available if there is a section you find difficult. Telephone or email support can be invaluable if you find one point frustrating or you have a question that isn’t covered by the materials. Consider too whether you will receive updates for the materials if the syllabus is updated during your study.
Another valuable point is who put the material together. Working in the mortgage industry does not make someone the best person or teacher to write a CeMAP home study course. Probably the best combination would be someone who has worked in the mortgage industry but also has had a background in teaching adults. Everyone learns differently – some people like images and diagrams, others like tables and written notes – and a high quality CeMAP distance learning course should take this into account.
CeMAP home study courses may be a more cost-effective way to study but that should not mean a compromise on quality.
