Just Mortgages plans to bring in 120 new brokers into the mortgage industry over the next 12 months.

These brokers will be provided with full training through Just Mortgages’  broker academy, designed to provide them with all the skills and knowledge they need.

There will be a total of 10 academies in the next year, and each will accommodate an average of 12 trainee brokers. There have been on average over 1,000 applications for each Just Mortgages’ academy.

The academies are open to those with, and without prior experience of financial services, and recent graduates from the academy have included a range of diverse backgrounds, including those from hospitality, dentistry and estate agents.

Those without CeMap1 take a five-week course, the first two-weeks of which are focused on achieving their CeMap1 qualification. Those who have CeMap1 already join for the final three weeks which builds upon the CeMap1 qualification, developing a range of further skills.

These skills include developing an understanding of the sales process, how to build rapport with clients and effective questioning to understand clients’ needs. Alongside learning about mortgages, the course places equal importance on protection, so brokers understand how crucial it is that clients are covered should the worst happen.

The brokers also receive training in all the necessary technology, and advice on how to use social media effectively to drive new business.

The recruitment of new brokers through the academies is part of growth plans for the Just Mortgages’ group.

Rodney Sloan, head of training for Just Mortgages, said: “When we are recruiting for the academies, we don’t just look for experience in financial services, we also look at the skillset of a person and if these skills can translate to being a broker.

“The range of different experiences that those on the academies bring is really varied and everyone who joins brings a different perspective resulting in some great sessions.

“The training doesn’t end once the brokers have graduated. There is an experienced, dedicated trainer whose sole responsibility is to support the new brokers through a structured process as they transition from the academy, to delivering best advice.”