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Training and licensing of Debt Advisors
4th June, 2009
The White Paper makes it clear that bailiffs and civil enforcement officers will have to be trained & licensed and that existing agents will have to be trained when the new simplified law for enforcement is introduced and it would be fair to say that most agree with this principle if not the detail. Government and debt advisors believe this period of training should last months and possible up to one year and behind closed doors, it is even suggested possibly longer.
The government and debt advice groups believe that debt advisors on the other hand should only require 1 day to be trained and when I have asked why is there such a difference in training periods nobody could answer that question or did not want to.
When asked if it is the intension to licence debt advisors we are told that is unreasonable to expect debt groups to train and licence advisors because they are volunteers. As a trained and authorised community volunteer myself I find it insulting that other stakeholders that deal or provide services to the recovery and enforcement industry should be set lower standards.
I have been coaching rugby for about 18 months and I am a Head Coach for Mini Rugby for children. Before a volunteer can coach rugby or any sport s/he has to attend at least one specific coaching course and will have to attend more specific courses as teams improve and progress. Coaches also have to attend courses on Child Protection and Welfare, First Aid, Equity in Coaching, Coaching the Disabled to name but a very few and we also have to be aware of the School Curriculum, Data Protection and Health & Safety. In most instances coaches have to sit tests and exams to be qualified and licensed.
For a further understanding you only have to visit the Community pages of the RFU website, Active Surrey website or the Sport England website to see what training and qualifications, volunteer coaches in any sport have to obtain before they can provide a sporting service.
This level of training and licensing is not only limited to volunteers in sports but is required throughout most of the volunteer sector so why should debt advisors be any different.
It should be noted that the Money Advice Service to their credit intends to become an Institute and properly train and licence volunteers.
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