The institution has revealed that an increasing number of students are studying for the Certificate for Financial Advisers - the qualification that is necessary in order to advise on investment, retirement planning or protection options - indicating that more Britons are looking to forge a career within the financial services industry.
Indeed the number on the ifs course grew by 12 per cent between 2006 and 2007.
Furthermore, the average age of students on CeFA courses run by the ifs is currently 33 years old, suggesting that individuals could be looking to boost their skills in order to open up new avenues of work within the financial services industry.
Mark Roberts, head of financial regulation at the ifs School of Finance, predicted that if the current trend towards younger advisers continues, the average age of students on the course will see a corresponsing reduction.
He said: “We have seen a substantial year on year increase in the number of people taking CeFA since it was re-launched in 2004. The fact so many people are taking CeFA to enable them to become financial advisers is clearly great news for the industry."
CeFA meets the requirements of the Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC), is accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), and is incorporated into the National Qualifications Framework at level 3 (broadly equivalent to an A level).
