Hannah Cook has worked in the collections industry for 20 years and recently completed ICAN Learn’s skill set in Financial Literacy Education. Hannah yarned to us about why this course is an excellent option for individuals or workplace teams wanting to increase their financial literacy levels.
Thanks for yarning with us Hannah!
Can you tell us why you decided to study the skill set in Financial Literacy Education?
I have worked in the collections industry for more than 20 years with a true passion for helping vulnerable Australians find better financial security. After leading my industry in hardship and vulnerability management, this course allowed me to fill in my knowledge gaps, certify my knowledge, and network with other people driven by the same values and shared experiences.
Did anything in the course surprise you?
The topic of financial abuse was really interesting. It taught me to listen for key pieces of information that can help identify financial abuse because sometimes people don’t even realise that they’re being abused. It was also really useful learning about the many different types of credit products available and just how quickly people’s circumstances can change.
Were there any challenges in studying the FLE?
This course complemented my existing employment, so it wasn’t such a hurdle for me. The idea of studying was a bit daunting, but the course was fantastic, well-paced, and easy to understand. There are also lots of tips and information that can be passed on to family and friends, so you can also improve the financial literacy of those around you.
Have any employment opportunities opened up due to your studies in financial literacy?
I am delighted to have expanded my current role to include training of the financial literacy content to other staff to ensure they can support our customers. It’s well worth having made the effort to gain this qualification to extend my learning and employability, and to support my colleagues and our clients in everyday life.
Tell us the best part about undertaking your studies with ICAN Learn.
I found it valuable to learn with a group of like-minded people, and whilst I thought connecting with others online might be challenging, I found the opposite. Some of us swapped details so we could keep in contact. Online was great for me as I could easily fit in with work and home duties. The trainer was also very engaging and supportive.
What would you say to a person or organisation considering the Financial Literacy Education course?
Go ahead and do it, it’s a really enjoyable course. You will meet different groups of people and hear different perspectives that will change your thinking. If an organisation did it as a team, they would get a lot out of it. The content is delivered clearly and to a level where anyone could jump in and understand it.
Interested in the FLE Skillset? Check it out here
Or find out more about ICAN Learn and the courses and scholarships on offer here
