For many insurance employers, attracting and retaining new talent is becoming increasingly challenging. Competition for experienced professionals is high, while organisations are also thinking about how to bring the next generation into the industry.
The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship offers one way to address this challenge for both the general and life insurance sectors. The programme allows employers to recruit new talent while supporting them to earn a BA (Hons) in Insurance Practice with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo.
For organisations considering the programme for the first time, there are often practical questions. What level of experience will an apprentice have? How much support is required from the employer? And what are the long‑term benefits for the organisation?
Building knowledge alongside experience
Apprentices join an organisation as full‑time employees while studying alongside their role (four days on the job, one day at college). This allows them to build practical knowledge of the business while developing technical expertise through their academic programme.
By the time apprentices complete the programme, they have gained several years of professional experience as well as a recognised honours degree.
Supporting compliance and professional qualifications
For many insurance employers, professional qualifications are an important part of staff development.
The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship is structured to support this from the beginning. In the first year, apprentices complete the Accredited Product Adviser (APA) qualification, helping employers increase the number of staff qualified to advise customers.
In the second year, apprentices continue their development through further professional designations such as the Certified Insurance Practitioner (CIP) or Certificate in Professional Financial Advice (QFA).
Developing talent within the organisation
Recruiting experienced professionals can be challenging in a competitive labour market. Apprenticeships allow employers to develop and attract talent from diverse streams- school leavers, graduates and career changes. By working within the organisation throughout their studies, apprentices become familiar with company systems, processes and customer needs. As they develop their professional knowledge, they also bring new insights back into the business, giving employers the benefit of up-to-date learning while shaping the skills and experience of future professionals within their teams.
Support for employers
Organisations participating in the apprenticeship programme are supported throughout the process by the Insurance Institute or the LIA and ATU Sligo.
Employers receive guidance on recruitment, mentoring and supervising apprentices. Supervisors also have access to training and an online resource centre designed to support them in their role.
Employer perspective
Many organisations have found the apprenticeship model to be an effective way to build talent. As Carolyn Higgins, Group Information & HR Manager at Davies Group, explains:
“We were finding it quite difficult to recruit staff and to find the right people. We had to sit back and think about how we were going to solve this problem and decided upon the Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship as it gave us the opportunity to bring somebody on board that we could work with from the beginning of their training and benefit our business in the long run.”
Looking ahead
Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly important pathway for developing professional talent across many sectors.
For insurance employers, the Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship provides an opportunity to recruit new talent, support professional qualifications and develop future professionals within their organisation.
If your organisation is interested in learning more about the programme or recruiting an apprentice, visit earnandlearn.ie or contact apprenticeship@iii.ie