The WiserAdviser training programme, introduced to Northern Ireland by Advice NI, was one of the 20 awards finalists to receive a National Training Award at a ceremony on Tuesday evening in Belfast City Hall. The award recognises outstanding achievement and success through training and development.
Fiona Magee, Advice NI’s Deputy Director takes up the story of its success:
“Research conducted in 2003 highlighted a need for money management and debt advice training. One in 10 Northern Ireland households had accumulated arrears with payments on consumer credit agreements or household bills and on average debts ranged from £9,000 upwards. “Between March 2005 and March 2006 we worked with 80 organisations that deal with some of the most socially excluded people here, to deliver high quality and sustainable advice services. In all 50 people were trained in Londonderry, Belfast and Newry to identify emergency situations, prioritise debts, help clients to maximize their income and prepare a personal finance planning statement.” |
The learners were a diverse group from Advice NI membership, Citizens Advice Bureau, Credit Unions and the Civil Service. Of the 50 trained, 49 achieved accreditation from the Open College Network at level two, and 58% have since completed Wiseradviser training at skilled level, including courses on Dealing with Utilities Arrears, Debts and Courts in NI and Individual Voluntary Arrangements.
In 2005-2006 four full-time workers who had been trained, advised 1,000 clients who, between them, had more than £4.6million of debt.
Congratulating Advice NI on winning a National Training Award in this year’s competition, Employment and Learning Minister, Maria Eagle MP said:
| “Debt reduction programmes and the provision of sound advice to those affected, is vital to help some of our most disadvantaged citizens with financial difficulties. Well done to Advice NI.” |
The National Training Awards are the UK's number one accolade for businesses, organisations and individuals who have achieved lasting excellence and success through training and learning.
The quality common to all winners of a National Training Award is that they demonstrate significant benefits from exceptionally effective learning and skills development. Winners show, not only good people development, but also the outstanding results gained by putting what has been learned into practice.
Advice NI is delighted to receive recognition for its money advice training.
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