Solidifi launched its Appraiser Trainee Mentorship and Scholarship Program. As part of the program, the company will be joining the Appraiser Diversity Initiative (ADI) as an advisor sponsor and in-kind sponsor that will provide scholarships and mentoring for new entrants to the appraisal profession, according to a company press release.
“We are thrilled to support the development and advancement of the next generation of appraisers by partnering with the ADI,” Solidifi President Loren Cooke said in the release. “With more financial and advisor support, we can make the appraisal profession more attainable and move the industry forward by increasing appraiser diversity.”
One goal of the ADI, a collaboration between the Appraisal Institute, National Urban League, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, is to create relationships and partnerships with sponsors for the benefit of the ADI participants. ADI sponsors workshops and other activities to inform aspiring appraisers about the requirements to become an appraiser and the multiple career opportunities available.
Through an essay competition, ADI award winners received education scholarships for the completion of base course requirements to become an appraiser. Solidifi awarded 10 appraiser trainee scholarship packages for ADI trainees to be selected at a workshop, which took place on Nov. 18.
“Receiving the ADI scholarship and the assistance from Solidifi literally changed the future of my career,” appraiser trainee Marcus Knight, an ADI award winner and one of the first trainees to participate in the Solidifi mentor match program, said. “I have direct access to the contacts at Solidifi and AI who I can reach out to at any time for guidance. I am so grateful for that support.”
“For aspiring appraisers, finding a qualified supervisor to oversee their training is often cited as a significant barrier to entry in the profession,” Cooke said. “However, more and more independent appraisers and appraisal firms on the Solidifi network are opening their doors as supervisors to trainees. Through its national network of appraisers, Solidifi has facilitated the appraiser-supervisor relationship with more than 90 trainees to date.”