New data from Strategi Institute shows a clear shift across the financial advice sector: growth-minded FAPs are investing in their people. Those who prioritise professional development now will be better positioned to meet client expectations, diversify services, and stay compliant as the industry evolves.

“We’re seeing a real step-change in how FAPs approach adviser capability,” says David Greenslade, Founder and Executive Director of Strategi Group. “There’s a strong focus on building multi-skilled teams, improving compliance systems, and bringing new talent into the profession. That’s good news for FAPs and the clients they serve.”

Four key trends shaping adviser training in 2025

Enrolments in the New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5) Version 2 are up 52% on this time last year. With many long-serving advisers approaching retirement, it’s encouraging to see new talent entering the profession. For FAPs, it’s a timely opportunity to support succession planning and expand their advice capacity.

CPD done right – at scale

More advisers are using Radar’s 300+ CPD modules to meet their obligations under Code Standard 9. Large FAPs are going a step further – white-labelling Radar’s platform and uploading their own
in-house training content. The trend? A move toward structured, scalable CPD programmes that support consistency and audit-readiness.

Multi-strand advisers are in demand

We’ve seen a sharp increase in advisers obtaining a second specialist strand – especially those working across mortgage, insurance, and investment advice:

• Mortgage advisers are adding the Life, Disability & Health strand to offer insurance alongside lending advice.
• Insurance and mortgage advisers are adding the Investment strand to support KiwiSaver and managed fund advice.

This reflects a broader shift: FAPs want advisers who can meet a wider range of client needs without compromising quality or compliance.

Micro-credentials are filling skill gaps fast

Specialist micro-credentials are proving especially popular among support staff and compliance teams:

• Consumer Credit (Level 5) micro-credential is becoming the go-to qualification for admin staff in mortgage and finance businesses.
• The AML/CFT Compliance Officer (Level 4) micro-credential is fast becoming the industry benchmark for those managing AML/CFT compliance obligations.

What this means for your FAP

These trends tell a clear story: professionalism is increasing, and FAPs that prioritise learning and development are better equipped to grow, attract new clients, and stay compliant.

If you’re looking to upskill your team, expand into new advice areas, or make CPD easier to manage, get in touch for a no-obligation chat – we’re here to help.