AMP is to allow part-time attendance at its Horizons Academy to attract more women.

Currently, entrants must commit to a year of full-time training and work experience to join the financial planning academy. This includes a 10-week course in Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney.

AMP Horizons Director Tim Steele says the new part-time approach meets rising demand for flexible hours, particularly among women.   

“Research shows there has been substantial growth in part-time work during the past 50 years across the board,” he said.

“Women constitute most of this growth and they comprise three-quarters of part-timers in

Australia today but they perceive the financial planning industry as not offering the flexibility that many need.”

AMP employs the program candidates for a year at a salary of $50,000.

The first two weeks of study are full-time, but five weeks of practice placement can be part-time.

The candidates then have another week of full-time skills assessment before spending 12 weeks as an associate planner in a practice near their home.

The final seven months is spent working as an AMP representative, part-time or full-time.

AMP expects successful trainees to join a practice as a fully licensed planner or start their own practice.