Training as a debt advisor

[kallis3]

Excellent points by both Maiston and Size5.

I would avoid these companies like the plague. They are just out to get your money and the chances of you earning money from your guaranteed 15 leads a month is probably virtually nil.

[WiseOwl]

The Debt Resolution Forum
The Debt Resolution Forum promotes professional standards for resolving debtors' financial problems, focussed on the quality of advice provided to consumer debtors by all DRF members.

CertDR is a professional qualification for those advising, guiding or supporting people who have become over indebted.
Our training courses have now been successfully running for over 18 months with more than 650 learners registered and 50 advisors having completed and passed the certificate giving them the right to use CERTDR after their name. The BTEC Advanced Certificate in Debt Resolution is fully accredited by Edexcel on their customised framework at Level 3 (equivalent to an ‘A’ level).

The complete course will take 9 - 12 months to complete and costs £750 plus VAT.

Check out our web site for contact details,
http://www.debtresolutionforum.org.uk/training.php

[IVAexpert]

Having recently passed the personal insolvency paper of the JIEB and the CPI in 2006 I can only say that on the job experience coupled with professional exams is the best way to become a debt advisor. I too have heard, and made enquires with these "training courses" and enquired about the content. Suffice to say I knew about 10 times what they did and when I pointed out the information was incorrect I put the phone down.
If you're looking to get into the industry try the CAB, or look for any debt resolution companies in your area as they are generally always looking for people. As a start though, BBP conduct an introduction to insolvency course which may interest you.

[kallis3]

The DRF are a genuine company and if you check out the link you will see that a lot of respected IVA companies are members.

However, I doubt any of us will be taking a course anytime soon as we can't afford it!

[Andrew Graveson]

If there are people interested in the DRF CertDR I can personally vouch for it being extremely useful and valuable for any debt advisor.

I have undertaken the course and exams personally and the rest of the team here have either passed it or are approaching the final exams. I think that other firms that post on this site will provide similar feedback...

[MelanieGiles]

As an "IVA expert" I am suprised that you do not seem to know anything about the DRF - one of the trade bodies established to assist with regulating the debt management industry!

I agree entirely with Andrew - and will definately be looking into these examinations for some of my staff next year.

[IVAexpert]

Melanie, I know a great deal about the DRF, what they do and am close friends with many IP's on it. Many of my staff have been and passed the courses. However, I was merely saying that there are other courses out there as other people had mentioned the DRF courses. When I referred to training courses I was referring to companies offering training to become a debt advisor for £4k fee. I see no reason for derogatory comments you are making.

[MelanieGiles]

This thread commenced in 2009 and had largely ended by November 2009 - however for some reason the DRF made an ad hoc post in June 2010 which you chose to respond to shortly after.

I think that anyone reading your post would have assumed that it was targeted directly at the DRF's post - well it certainly confused Jan and myself.

[IVAexpert]

If you are confused by it, why not ask for clarity before making judgement?

[MelanieGiles]

Fair point

[kallis3]

I thought that as well Mel as there was no mention in the post about the IVAexpert knowing anything at all about the DRF.