FPA brings back virtual externship program

The Financial Planning Association is once again offering its eight-week virtual externship program to foster new talent and entrants into the profession, the FPA said in a statement Monday morning.

This is the third year the FPA has offered the program, which will run from June 6 to July 29. Enrollment is open until May 27.

More than 500 people completed last year’s program, according to the FPA.

More than 37% of the participants in the 2021 virtual externship program were female. Sixty-five percent were under the age of 39, according to the FPA, while 30% were between the ages of 19 and 24. And more than 42% said they were considering earning the CFP certification.

The externs will access a library of recorded lessons that dive into financial planning, plus get real-world assignments, in-depth tutorials, walk-throughs and live office-hour opportunities with top financial planners, according to the FPA. They’ll also get an inside look at client meetings and planner and client relationships.