A 21-year-old has graduated from the PFS apprentice programme with a distinction - the first time the highest honour has been achieved.

Declan Healy DipPFS completed eighteen months of structured learning, through which he received the necessary qualifications and skills required to become a fully qualified financial adviser.

Mr Healey finished his diploma in Financial Planning last month while working as a Trainee Financial Adviser with Elevation Group, an investing strategy advisor for HNW individuals.

He said: “I am really grateful for the full and comprehensive support I had during my studies for the CII Diploma in Financial Planning.

“It was great to be able to study while on the job.

“This meant I could get real experience and start building my career while getting my qualifications.”

Keith Richards, Chief Executive of the PFS, says: “Apprenticeships are great for the profession and for those entering it.

“They give students the opportunity to learn whilst building real working experience and contributing to their respective practice from day one.

“Moreover, apprenticeships help employers to develop new talent to meet the evident and increasing demand for professional financial advice.

“PFS Aspire plays a role for succession planning through attracting and developing new talent which is vital to the ongoing expansion of the profession.

“The programme will continue to offer a pathway to employers for aspiring personal finance professionals.”

The Aspire programme is available to any full-time member of staff, regardless of age or educational background.

Demand for succession planning and bridging the advice gap has continued to gather momentum over the past few years and is essential to the future development of the profession.

The launch of Aspire followed the development of the Financial Adviser apprentice standard, sponsored by the PFS in 2016, and subsequently received approval from the Department of Education.

Alongside a curriculum which includes training workshops and revision sessions for exams, apprentices are also assigned a personal coach to provide monthly guidance and ongoing learning support.