Format

The Smartmove Academy is a paid 26 week training program aimed at being able to produce a high performing broker regardless of prior industry knowledge or experience.

It is a stepped learning program which builds on the knowledge gained in the prior weeks & months. The 26 weeks is broken down into 2 parts as follows:

Part 1 – The Formal Learning
  • Approximately 10 weeks
    • The formal qualifications (Certificate IV & Diploma in Mortgage & Finance Broking Management)
    • Industry Association Membership (Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia – MFAA)
    • Aggregator Accreditation (Australian Finance Group – AFG)
    • Lender Accreditations with our panel of 50 lenders
    • Weekly group mentoring sessions with the Head of the Academy
Part 2 – The Practical Learning
  • Approximately 16 weeks
  • 4 x 4 week placements working side by side with existing Smartmove brokers working on all aspects of the process
  • Weekly 1 on 1 mentoring sessions with the Head of the Academy
Throughout the 26 weeks
  • Regular Masterclasses on:
    • Technical skills – Servicing, Self-employed lending, Bridging Finance, Expat Lending, Construction Finance, etc.
    • Non-technical skills – Time Management, Communication Skills, How to structure and conduct a client meeting, Business Generation, Building & Analysing your Social Networks, Decision Architecture, & Reading Clients i.e. body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, articulation).
    • Masterclasses are recorded and turned into learning modules for future viewing or revision
  • Practical experience during the Academy Program, on average:
      • Work on over 100 different lending scenarios
      • Help build over 50 loan applications
      • Take part in over 20 client meetings
Other points to note
  • Every Academy member has a mentor from Day 1
  • The Academy runs in classes with intakes twice a year. An Academy class contains multiple new entrants, which we feel is far more conducive for learning.
  • Academy members are set up with 3 internal chat groups for further support: 1) their Academy class, 2) An Academy Alumni Group, and 3) A scenario Group contain over 18 current team members.
  • Currently our digital learning library contains 2 learning pathways, which is made up of 21 separate modules, consisting of 43 individual videos, 11 other items of relevant learning material, 4 quizzes.

History

Smartmove has a long history of training and developing high performing brokers. With team members going on to win almost every available industry award possible for new to industry brokers including:

  • 5 x Young Gun of the Year – Australian Mortgage Awards (AMA’S)
  • 3 x Best Young Broker – Australian Finance Group (AFG) Awards
  • 8 x Top 30 under 30 – The Advisor Magazine
  • 4 x Young Gun  – MPA Magazine

It was this strong track record which lead to the forming of the Academy and formalising its training program in 2020. A program that encompasses all the things that worked so well in the past, but in a more formal and structured approach.

Graduation

Smartmove holds an official graduation upon completion of the program. Post-graduation Academy members are placed into one of our existing broker teams where they continue to be mentored as they start their journey as a fully fledged broker.

We take the responsibility of bringing people into our industry very seriously. Having confidence we can train and develop anyone allows us the ability to focus on recruiting the right people that will represent the broking industry with the highest levels of ethics, morals, and integrity.

We truly believe that our program is unique within the industry, and provides a level and depth of training not offered anywhere else, but should be.

What our graduates have to say

“

Smartmove training academy is one of the best training programs I have come across so far. I have worked in mortgage industry for more than 12 years now and the scope of training provided by Smartmove is exceptional. All other training programs I have experienced so far are just a tick in the book. At Smartmove they make sure that its not only about ticking the boxes but making sure they set you up for success. This includes on the job practical experience with experienced brokers, industry certifications, accreditations and even introduction to all business stake holders. The paid training academy is stretch across 26 weeks to making sure you are fully ready to succeed in the real when once graduated. And even after that help is always available when needed. Due to the length of time the business has been operating you can be assured you will come across every quirky scenario possible to brush up your skills. Honestly even I have learned a lot of new things in my training academy even though I have been mortgage broking for quite some time now. On a final note I would like to say hats off to the person who put all this together in the training academy. Great work.

Nayesh
“

The Smartmove Academy is a fantastic initiative and opportunity to learn. It is a tailor-made, 26-week, stepped development program, aimed at onboarding and training new brokers whilst covering and developing skills which are attributable to all three aspects of the professional working environment.
Firstly, the Smartmove training academy provides up and coming brokers with the opportunity to gain their formal education and certification requirements.
Secondly, by surrounding participants with a “real” team of supportive, proficient, and best-in-industry mentors, the Smartmove training Academy provides an environment in which individuals gain the opportunity to develop vital technical skills necessary to a career in mortgage broking.
Thirdly, Through spending time with multiple brokers, whilst taking part in weekly review and mentoring sessions, the Smartmove Training academy also caters to the soft-skill and professional development of it’s participants interpersonal skills – A vital component necessary to delivering first class services and exceptional customer outcomes.

Asher