Skills Edge partners with SimplyBiz Academy to support the next generation of financial services professionals
Skills Edge is delighted to announce its partnership with SimplyBiz as part of the newly launched SimplyBiz Academy, an exciting initiative designed to help financial advice firms attract, develop and retain the next generation of talent.
The partnership brings together two organisations with a shared commitment to strengthening the future of the financial services profession by creating accessible, structured development pathways for both employers and aspiring professionals.
At Skills Edge, our vision has always been simple: Develop the skill needs of today whilst creating the experts of tomorrow. Working alongside SimplyBiz allows us to further that vision by supporting firms in developing highly skilled professionals through apprenticeships, professional qualifications and structured learning programmes that provide clear career progression within the sector.
The financial advice profession continues to face significant challenges in recruiting new talent, with many firms experiencing an ageing workforce and increasing demand for qualified professionals. Through the SimplyBiz Academy, advice firms will have access to a comprehensive talent development solution that supports individuals from recruitment and onboarding through to professional qualifications and long-term career development.
As a trusted apprenticeship and professional training provider, Skills Edge will deliver a range of learning pathways aligned to the academy, helping learners develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to build successful careers across financial planning, paraplanning and wider financial services roles.
Commenting on the partnership, Calvin Goodson, Business Development Manager at Skills Edge, said:
"
This partnership represents a significant step forward not only for SimplyBiz and Skills Edge, but for the financial services industry as a whole. As a sector, we recognise the challenges created by an ageing workforce, particularly within financial advice, and the importance of creating clear, accessible pathways for new entrants.
By partnering with SimplyBiz, we are creating more opportunities for employers to attract, develop and retain talented individuals, while giving learners access to high-quality training and professional development that will support successful, long-term careers within the profession.
"
James Miller, Commercial Director at Skills Edge, added:
"
The financial services sector will not close its skills gap by continuing to compete for the same shrinking pool of experienced talent. We need to create talent, unlock potential earlier and build credible progression routes for people at every stage of their careers.
Skills Edge Training has been pioneering financial services apprenticeships since the standards were first introduced 12 years ago. This partnership with SimplyBiz allows us to take that experience further and create early-career, emerging-career and further-career opportunities for hundreds, and potentially thousands, of aspiring professionals.
We are especially excited to partner with Tom Hegarty, Jill Hamilton and the wider SimplyBiz team. Their ambition for the sector, commitment to professional development and appetite to do things differently make this a genuinely powerful partnership.
This is bigger than delivering qualifications. It is about challenging how the sector attracts, develops and retains talent, while building the skilled, adaptable workforce it will need for the future.
"
The SimplyBiz Academy has been developed to provide firms with more than just training. Employers will benefit from structured learner support, regular progress reviews, governance, ongoing professional development and access to industry-recognised qualification pathways. This collaborative approach helps firms build sustainable talent pipelines while ensuring learners receive the guidance and support needed to thrive throughout their careers.
The partnership also reflects Skills Edge’s continued commitment to working collaboratively with employers, professional bodies and strategic partners to raise standards across the financial services sector and ensure businesses have access to the skilled professionals they need both now and in the future.
As demand for qualified financial services professionals continues to grow, Skills Edge and SimplyBiz remain committed to investing in the future of the profession by developing today’s talent into tomorrow’s experts.