Earlypay industry training and development program attracts record number of applicants: additional placements announced
The launch of Earlypay’s Business Finance and Lending Training and Development Scholarship Program has attracted significant interest from finance professionals across the country prompting Earlypay to announce an increase in course participation numbers.
The first of its kind in Australia, the Earlypay program involves an intensive 11 week business finance and lending course that is delivered online three times per year. Flexible in its delivery, the course structure allows professionals to continue their full-time role while undertaking the program. Initially committing to fund 20 participants per course, Earlypay has increased this number to 80 (two cohorts of 40) in response to strong interest from finance professionals. The cost to Earlypay is $6500.00 per head.
Developed in collaboration with leading financial training provider, Accendo Financial, the Earlypay course has been built using the ELMO Learning Management system and consists of 13 modules designed to equip finance professionals with the knowledge to identify, structure, and implement game-changing finance solutions for Australian businesses.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the response to our Earlypay Scholarship Program,” Earlypay, National Partnerships Manager, Donelle Brooks (pictured) said.
“The volume of interest demonstrates the level of need for the course across the country. You can’t give tax advice to a business without a qualification, so why should you be able to provide lending solutions to a business without the appropriate knowledge and qualifications? Our course finally addresses this.
“It is a game-changer for our industry. Not only does it provide critical hands-on practical training and learning with the mentor support of highly experienced industry experts, it also contributes to continuing professional development (CPD) with a number of key industry bodies.
“We are also pleased to see that women make up half of our course participants. The finance sector has the highest gender pay gap of any sector. It is currently sitting at 27.5 percent, with women only holding 28.7 percent of senior management roles. Hopefully our course helps to address some of this disparity as well.
According to Brooks, Invoice Finance is one of the most untapped products in the market and actually accelerates the cash that a business has already earned. We want to support professionals who want to be part of the new breed of commercial finance specialists, which means understanding all types of business finance solutions.
“Each module has been carefully developed to provide key learnings and skill development. They are interactive, include great case studies and also enable ongoing assessment of learner performance through activities, decision points and quizzes. It is an excellent course that meets the very unique finance and lending needs of the business sector. It’s a huge opportunity for anyone who wants to position themselves as an industry-leading commercial broker,” Brooks added.
“Providing finance solutions to the business sector involves more than just lending money, it requires an in-depth understanding of a business’ financial situation, the assets available across the enterprise and the operating nature of the organisation.
“In working through these elements, an experienced and knowledgeable finance professional can then determine the cash flow requirements of the business and how these can be addressed. Different types of finance solutions can be used depending on all of these factors.
“Understanding where and how finance can be used to support a business to improve cash flow and fund growth and investment activities can often mean the difference between a business being able to survive and thrive, or dwindling and failing.”
The Earlypay Scholarship Program is delivered online in a flexible manner by Earlypay and Accendo. Participants also receive intensive mentoring and support as part of their involvement in the course.
John Sgambelluri, Partner of Accendo Financial, believes the Earlypay scholarship program is the most impactful course available in the market.
“The materials, information and templates provided are fantastic however it is the way the workshops are taught that makes it so different. We break down complex terms, provide relevant insights and draw on a wealth of experience to ensure participants walk away with practical knowledge and capabilities across every industry, from agriculture to franchising,” he added.
“There are well over two million small and medium size businesses (SME) nationally and experience within the finance sector has been lost in recent times which has left the SME market under serviced. The opportunity presents for finance professionals to take this course knowledge into SMEs and help them grow their business. By covering more products and customer types we can assist more businesses during both buoyant and challenging economic conditions.”
Earlypay will deliver ten of the thirteen modules and Accendo will deliver three. Completion of the entire course will equate to over 50 percent of the annual CPD requirement for professionals, from key industry bodies including the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) and the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA). Additional associations are expected to participate.
“The launch of Earlypay’s Training Scholarship Program demonstrates our deep commitment to the industry and our desire to see the business finance sector evolve to continually meet the fast changing needs of business. We will fund participation of industry professionals in the course every year at our cost. Members of our team will support the delivery of the course and provide ongoing support to participants during the course and once they complete it – as part of the Earlypay alumni,” Brooks continued.”
