Scholarships.
Supporting your Career connect journey.
Above and beyond our investment to deliver Career connect, we’ll be offering several scholarships per intake. All the scholarships cover the fees for the formal qualifications. Some of the scholarships will also provide an additional nominal study support to help participants through the 6-month programme. Our scholarships are designed to help give participants the best chance of succeeding in their career change.
Scholarships.
Women in Finance scholarship brought to you by Kaplan Professional.
Designed for female applicants to become financial advisers.
(2 available)
Rural scholarship brought to you by FMG.
Designed for applicants with a rural connection to become financial advisers.
Pounamu scholarship.
Designed to assist Māori applicants to become financial advisers.
Kowhai scholarship.
Designed to assist Pasifika applicants to become financial advisers.
Rangi Po scholarship.
Designed to support underrepresented identities in our industry.
Toe Toe scholarship.
Designed to recognise outstanding young applicants.
Paua scholarship.
Designed to recognise outstanding applicants who demonstrate excellence.
Eligibility criteria.
Find out if you are eligible to be awarded with 1 of our scholarships.
-
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Be committed to becoming a financial adviser.
- Must not have started or have gained their level 5 qualification.
-
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Be committed to becoming a financial adviser.
- Must not have started or have gained their level 5 qualification.
-
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Be of Māori descent.
- Be committed to making a career change to become a financial adviser.
- Must not have started or have gained their level 5 qualification.
-
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Be of Pacific Island descent.
- Be committed to making a career change to become a financial adviser.
- Must not have started or have gained their level 5 qualification.
-
The Rangi Po scholarship is part of our broader commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Be committed to making a career change to become a financial adviser.
- Must not have started or have gained their level 5 qualification.
-
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Be 21-25 years of age.
- Be committed to becoming a financial adviser.
- Must not have started or have gained their level 5 qualification.
-
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Be committed to becoming a financial adviser.
- Must not have started or have gained their level 5 qualification.
Please note that prior to acceptance of a Career connect scholarship, you will be asked to complete a Ministry of Justice and credit check.
Our past scholarship recipients.
-
2024 - Awhina Scott.
Awhina is the Business Manager for a Māori Consultancy in Ōtautahi and is also studying towards a Bachelor of Business (Finance). She's always had a keen interest in finance and a passion for sharing her knowledge to support whānau to improve their financial literacy and achieve their financial goals.
Once she's completed Career connect, Awhina hopes to improve access to quality financial advice and information for whānau because she firmly believe that financial wellbeing is inherently linked to our overall health and wellbeing.
July 2023 - Josh Los’e (Ngāti Maniapoto).
Always looking for ways to upskill, Josh was keen on the idea of helping people prepare for the unexpected, especially given the importance of whanaungatanga (kinship, familial connection) and the sacrifices Māori often make to support whānau.
January 2023 - Marei Chaney.
Marei Chaney is a NZ Silver medallist (Oceania Games), and worthy of a gold star in education. For over 25-years Marei has helped young New Zealanders learn to thrive in school mathematics. Marei’s ability to problem solve also saw her co-found an educational resource business, to support teachers to plan and apply different learning methods. Marei’s move to financial advice provides her with an opportunity to further her own learning and try something new. Marei’s looking forward to applying her skills and knowledge to help increase financial literacy, particularly within the Māori community.
When we told Marei, she had received the scholarship, she said “Hold on one second, I just need to… Woo hoo! This has absolutely made my day.”
-
2024 - Jenny Silva.
Jenny works as a Business Consultant at United Business Partners. She decided to join Career connect to pursue a career in financial advice because she firmly believes in the transformative power that financial advice holds for individuals, businesses, and communities.
“I am passionate about contributing to the future stability of individuals and their families, and I believe a career in financial advice aligns perfectly with this aspiration and my current role.”
Upon completing the program, Jenny’s goal is to expand her services to the broader Pasifika community, emphasizing the importance of financial planning. She aspires is to empower individuals within this community to take proactive measures in securing their future and realizing their aspirations.
July 2023 - Nimmi Valia.
Nimmi’s a seasoned general insurance professional who is now looking to expand her knowledge and expertise into life and health Insurance. She strongly believes in the societal benefits of health and life insurance and is keen to champion its uses.
Nimmi’s response when she found out she had received the Kowhai scholarship:
“I am thrilled to have received this scholarship and am looking forward both to the opportunities that it comes with, and to contributing back with my new knowledge.”
January 2023 - Jae Viliamu.
With just shy of 20-years’ experience in the construction industry, Jae Viliamu has mastered the skills of communication, critical thinking, and collaboration, crucial for a career in financial advice. For Jae, people are at the heart of everything he does. Recognised as a leader within both work and community settings Jae is known for his dependable, understanding nature. Jae shows a real empathy for people and a care for helping them improve. Jae’s driven to support New Zealanders and their families to understand the value of financial advice and apply it to their lives.
When we told Jae he had received the scholarship, he said “I’m so appreciative to have been chosen for this scholarship. Thanks for making the whole experience so welcoming and comfortable.”
-
2024 - Taylah Marr.
Prior to joining the Career connect program, Tayla completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Nutrition) and has been working within the health and fitness industry, showcasing a thirst for knowledge and commitment to helping others.
The decision to pursue a career in financial advice was based upon wanting to aid in the guidance of assisting individuals fulfil and secure their financial futures.
Upon completion of the programme and with the expertise acquired, Tayla wants to delve into a career providing financial advice. She’ll continue to work on personal development and growth to create a meaningful impact on those seeking to navigate their financial journey.
July 2023 - Naveen Bhatia.
Naveem wants to ensure that clients get the right advice from the very first meeting. He has been a claims assessor for over 9 years and knows the benefits to the customer when they have the correct insurance cover.
Being a self-starter who prides himself on a high degree of self-resilience, Naveem is confident that he can manage and maintain a big workload and build on this pipeline of business. His understanding of different cultures and disabilities and how they impact people’s lives is something he sees as a strength as a financial adviser.
Naveem is thrilled to be receiving the Rangi Po scholarship -
“I am an experienced insurance professional who believes in upskilling. The scholarship from Fidelity Life means that I can further progress my career. It was quite astounding for me when I first learnt that I have been selected in the career connect program and secured the scholarship. I can now focus on my course not worrying about the cost and help the wider community when job ready.”
January 2023 - Jan Bliss.
Jan Bliss is a qualified accountant and business owner, equipped with financial industry experience and insights. Throughout her career, Jan’s ability to predict problems and find solutions have been instrumental to her generating great customer outcomes. Jan’s guidance approach encourages those she works with to make informed decisions that are personalised to them and their needs. Jan’s determined to help New Zealanders understand the importance of planning for the unexpected and is interested in empowering women to access greater financial security, in all phases of life.
When we told Jan, she had received the scholarship “Here starts my new career! I can’t wait!”
-
2024 - Sydnee Taylor.
Sydnee worked in the Health and Fitness industry as a functional strength and conditioning coach and a reformer pilates teacher. These roles brought to light her passion for helping others and building strong relationships. She decided to join the Career connect programme to pursue a career in financial advice.
She wants to extend her knowledge and personal development and equip herself with the tools and skills to guide others in making good financial decisions and achieve a sense of financial security.
After completing the programme, Sydnee aspires to work in the health and life sector. This aligns with her passion and will create a fulfilling career utilizing her drive and dedication to help others and make a positive impact on their lives.
July 2023 - Kiri Venkatesh.
Kiri previously worked as a key account manager in financial services. Her interest in becoming a financial adviser comes from enjoying interactions with clients and wanting to help them achieve their goals.
Kiri believes that the younger generation is facing challenges due to the cost of living and achieving financial milestones like home ownership much later in life. She believes financial advice can be a way for people to set themselves up for success.
When Kiri found out she had received the Toe Toe scholarship -
“Very thankful and grateful to be chosen and have the opportunity to access the knowledge and experience that the Fidelity Life team have to offer.”
January 2023 - Jamie Ward.
Jamie Ward is a driven and diligent individual. Currently completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Political Science,. Jamie’s deeply interested in understanding and improving societal needs. Recognising a missing link in financial knowledge amongst younger generations, Jamie’s keen to learn and then share the tangible skills of financial advice. Jamie is an outgoing, caring person with a strong commitment to community service.
Jamie was a bit lost for words when we told him he had been successful but was incredibly grateful and just repetitively said thank you.
-
2024 - Marna Breetzke.
Marna is passionate about helping others and looks forward to being able to educate more New Zealanders on the importance of financial advice.
July 2023 - Chloe Balderstone.
Chloe is acutely aware of the personal financial knowledge gap with people under 35 and she wants to change that. Having worked in FMCG for over ten years, she feels equipped with a great work ethic, is able to seek out opportunities and can communicate with a wide range of people.
Chloe’s response when she found out she had received the Paua scholarship -
“Really, really excited to be a part of the Career connect programme and the opportunity to become part of an industry that aligns with my values and my family and help others to bring value to their family. I can’t wait to start!”
-
2024 - Grace McIntrye.
Prior to joining Career connect, Grace was primarily working within the healthcare industry across various roles. Seeking a career change, she was looking for a path where she could utilise her past experiences while entering into a field that offered exciting growth opportunities and aligned with her passion for helping others.
Grace felt that Career connect offers that supportive environment, expert mentorship, and a structured learning path that really appealed and ticked all the right boxes for her.
Post-program, Grace hopes to secure an advisory role within the health and life insurance industry where she can contribute to the rural community's financial well-being.
July 2023 - Sara Buerki and Alice Perry.
Sara Buerki:
Helping people and work life balance were behind Sara’s decision to change career from a mental health support worker to start the journey to become a financial adviser.
Sara’s response when she found out she had received the FMG scholarship -
“When I received the call from Fidelity Life’s Career connect programme to inform me of my placement I was beyond excited. I had been anxiously awaiting the news with my fingers crossed. To be a part of a programme with ample support and opportunities is a huge privilege. Especially to then find out I had been awarded a scholarship from FMG. Thanks to their joint support, I feel even more confident in my ability to dive into this new career with confidence and the knowledge that Fidelity Life and FMG can see my potential. I really look forward to the next few months of learning about the financial services industry and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I thank Fidelity Life for giving people like myself an accessible opportunity to enter the world of advising through their Career connect programme.”
Alice Perry:
Growing up on a farm and now running a 180-hectare farm with her husband means Alice understands rural communities.
"Being selected for the FMG scholarship in the Career connect course is a big privilege and I am super excited to be embarking on this amazing opportunity to forge my career path with the support, industry connections and learning opportunities contained within. I owe a big thank you to FMG and Fidelity Life for this opportunity."
-
2024 - Anna Devereux.
Anna has been working at Affinity as an Insurance Executive looking after their insurance book. She loves helping client’s day to day and being at the coal face of the interaction with the Affinity advisers.
Anna feels Career connect is the perfect opportunity to help her harness what she knows about the industry already and provide the necessary building blocks to become a well-rounded, and well-educated financial adviser.
The directors of Affinity encouraged Anna to pursue a career as a financial adviser due to her passion to assist clients with their financial support planning. She’ll transition into financial advice with the support of the advisers at her company and she can’t wait to be personally providing insurance solutions to our clients.