The average age of a financial planner today is 51, according to data from Cerulli Associates, and CFPs are listed as number five on the 2015 Best Business Jobs by US News & World Report, Schwab said.

Charles Schwab has linked up with the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder to roll out a Certified Financial Planner program, aimed at readying undergraduate students for careers in financial planning and wealth management.

“This collaboration will fill a need for CFP board registered programs in the region, as industry growth outpaces workforce growth and a significant generation gap faces the industry,” Schwab said. 

A charitable investment will fund scholarships as well as the creation and enhancement of coursework and exam preparation required by undergraduate students who wish to launch a career providing financial planning and advice.

Development of the CFP program at the Leeds School will begin in the fall of 2015 and is expected to attract more than 80 students once fully implemented.

It will cover the following topics: introduction to personal financial planning; investment and portfolio management; retirement planning; insurance and personal risk management; estate planning; income tax accounting; and communication and counseling skills.