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Steps is a rigorous, simulated online workplace environment in which students of the Diploma of Financial Counselling (CHC-51115 and CHC-51122) undertake their compulsory 220 hours of placement. The twelve-week programme has been developed by Financial Counselling Australia in collaboration with adult learning specialist, TechKnowledgey, and a Subject Matter Expert group comprised of highly experienced financial counsellors.

Throughout the twelve weeks, students are continuously mentored by experienced financial counsellors as they work with 18 virtual clients to resolve their financial difficulties. The clients’ issues gradually escalate in complexity as the students learn new skills and build on their knowledge. The programme ensures that students have the opportunity to practise and demonstrate all the financial counselling skills required by the training package. By the end of their placement, all students will therefore be well equipped to begin their professional lives as financial counsellors.

The Steps Simulated placement programme was developed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to address the difficulties of undertaking face-to-face placement positions. While the shortage in placement positions pre-dates the pandemic, it became acute during 2020. It also coincides with a time when the need for financial counselling services are particularly vital because of the economic impacts of the pandemic.

The Steps simulated placements programme is one of three approaches that Financial Counselling Australia has taken to increase the capacity of the sector. This project is a sister project to the paid intern programme, in which students are hired as interns and the placements are literally ‘on the job’, and the upskilling programme, in which people working in aligned sectors are funded to study the Diploma of Financial Counselling with the support of their current employer.

FCA is very grateful for the expertise of many members of the broader financial counselling sector who so freely shared their knowledge. In particular, FCA thanks the members of the subject matter expert group and representatives of the Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that offer the Diploma of Financial Counselling.

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