There are a few misconceptions about the industry and the kinds of careers it can offer. Many misconceive it to be about cold-calling clients, door-to-door selling of life or car insurance, processing boring paperwork or just plain boring, when in fact it is the very opposite.
An insurance career can offer stability, variety, challenges, rewards, above-average potential for advancement and the opportunity for students to take their careers where they want to go.
At its core, insurance is ultimately a 'people industry' - whether that be in managing client or business to business relationships, working as part of a team to assess a potential risk, helping someone through the claims process or conducting an interview as part of a fraud investigation.
Risk management, underwriting, loss adjuster, claims, marketing, appraising, and investigations are amongst the other areas of the insurance sector where students could find a rewarding career. Not to mention, the traditional functions that are a part of an organisation like human resources, IT, finance, accounting, and communications.
Innovative, positive-thinking graduates who are keen to get to grips with both numbers and people in a constantly changing environment would fit well in the insurance industry. The insurance industry, contrary to popular belief, is fast paced.
It is essential to gain enthusiastic people who are keen to begin a career in the insurance industry to build the talent pipeline for the future. The aim is to fulfil the growing need for skilled manpower across the insurance industry and narrow the existing gap between the demand and supply of skills.
FAnews is also playing its part in trying to attract talent to the industry through The Insurance Apprentice programme, which is an initiative aimed at tackling this problem. This initiative is about giving six people an intense five-day learning experience and, at the same time, educating others about the variety of career options available in the industry. The educating part is aimed at young industry people who are still finding their way in the industry, it is aimed at students studying insurance and it is aimed at a wider audience outside the industry - educating them about the complexities of the industry.
Young industry talent will be given the chance to showcase their skills through a variety of tasks within the market, such as underwriting, broking, and claims management in order to test their industry knowledge, resourcefulness and determination, which will ultimately be judged by an expert panel. The winner will become the first South African Insurance Apprentice, who will win a trip to Lloyds of London - a prize every young person in this industry will love.
To enter one of the most exciting programmes in the industry, go to [[http://theinsuranceapprentice.co.za/apply/
