Advisers are increasingly optimistic about the industry’s future but worried about recruiting the next generation of advisers, Openwork has reported.

The network’s nationwide study among advice firms found that 64% would recommend a career in financial advice to graduates and school leavers while 63% would recommend it to people looking to switch careers.

Research last year from Openwork found only 48% would be happy to recommend a financial advice career to people switching jobs and 46% who would urge school leavers or graduates to look at financial advice careers.

But despite the rise in optimism advisers believe much more needs to be done to encourage new recruits into the industry and there are major concerns about a lack of younger advisers, Openwork said.

84% believe schools and universities should do more to highlight the opportunities in financial advice careers while 68% say networks need to invest in training.

Just 8% believe the industry is currently attracting enough new recruits and 42% of firms believe the number of advisers in the UK will fall over the next 12 months.

Particular blind spots in the industry’s recruitment highlighted by the study are a lack of younger advisers and women – around 59% of those questioned say their firm needs to recruit more under-35s and one in five say they need more female advisers.

Mike Morrow, Openwork’s wealth & platform director, said: “It is encouraging to see the number of advisers recommending a career in financial advice is so high and is rising.

“That underlines the strength of the industry and the fantastic opportunities it has already provided for many. As demand for advice continues to grow the opportunities will increase.

“The worries about a lack of recruitment are being addressed across the industry and at Openwork we are focused on encouraging young people and career-changers to make the move with extensive investment in training.”