Hartlepool advice workers get top qualifications

Citizens' Advice staff, from left, Julie Pennick, Ann Brown, Janet Noble, Jill Hutton and Carol Dees with their certificates.

Staff at a valued advice service in Hartlepool are now even more qualified to help people who come to them.

Five members of staff at Citizens’ Advice Hartlepool have successfully achieved nationally recognised qualifications.

Debt advice workers Janet Noble, Ann Brown and Jill Hutton successfully studied for the Certificate in Money Advice Practice issued by Staffordshire University.

And Carol Dees and Julie Pennick, who advise on energy and fuel issues, completed the City and Guilds Level 3 award in Energy Awareness, issued by the City and Guilds of London Institute.

Citizens’ Advice Hartlepool says it places a big emphasis on staff development as the issues it deals with become more complex and demanding.

Manager Joe Michna said: “We are delighted that five of our paid staff members have successfully completed studies leading to nationally recognised qualifications.

“This is not only of great benefit to them, it is also very positive for the organisation as a whole and means that we have staff members who are better qualified and more confident in their work.

“Dealing with debt and financial matters is very large area of activity for the local office and equally, giving local residents advice and help with energy and fuel issues is a big part of the work that we do.”

The Certificate in Money Advice Practice is the most widely acknowledged national qualification in debt and financial advice.

The centre, in Park Road, is currently appealing for more volunteer staff to help cope with increased demand.