The Personal Finance Society (PFS) has reported more than 250 expressions of interest in its Pathway to the Profession initiative.
Launched in July, the scheme aims to attract and support new talent into financial planning.
The £1m programme includes £200,000 to fund 500 students taking the R05 Financial Protection module, the first step towards a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.
Participants also receive free PFS membership, mentoring and networking opportunities.
Within eight weeks, over 200 applicants with no prior experience or qualifications in financial planning have signed up.
At the London launch, PFS president Carla Brown announced further funding: £200,000 for partnerships with Coventry University, everywoman, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, UCAS and upReach; £50,000 for a new annual careers symposium; and £500,000 to be allocated following member consultation.
Brown said the strong initial uptake shows “an appetite for meaningful careers in financial planning” and underlines the PFS’s commitment to creating accessible entry routes into the profession.
The PFS, which has 40,000 members, is dedicated to building public trust in the insurance and financial planning profession.