Fidelity Life’s Career connect 2026 signals strong industry backing for future adviser talent

Career connect’s 2026 intake will welcome 30 participants, reinforcing Fidelity Life’s long‑term commitment to growing adviser capability and supporting new talent, helping to ensure New Zealanders have access to trusted financial advice now and into the future.

Since launching in 2023, Career connect has supported more than 100 participants nationwide and produced almost 70 graduates. Graduates have progressed into advice roles and further development, including three who have entered Professional pathways within Fidelity Life’s broader Adviser edge programme.

A key part of this success is the Career connect employer registry, which supports graduates to move from qualification into advice roles. More than 40 advice businesses across New Zealand are already part of the registry, ready to mentor, employ and invest in the next generation of advisers. 

Building on this momentum, 2026 represents a significant milestone for the programme, with the number of scholarships increasing from eight in 2025 to 13 in 2026. Interest in scholarships remained high, with 81% of applicants expressing interest in financial support. Encouragingly, 56% of applicants were female, with 17 ethnicities represented, signalling continued progress toward greater diversity across the industry.