1. Zurich Insurance Apprenticeship Scheme Workforce Ireland Attracting, Training and Retaining your Talent
Anne-Marie O’Leary
May 2019

2. Agenda Zurich in Wexford Zurich Apprenticeship Programme
National View of the Apprenticeship Programme
Choosing the right Candidates
Summary

3. Zurich in Wexford
Opened in 2008 as a centre of excellence dealing with Claims and Underwriting and Direct Sales of Insurance Policies.
Currently employ circa 200 people in Wexford.
Part of Zurich Insurance Co. which employs over 1,000 people in Ireland & 53,000 worldwide.

4. Zurich Apprenticeship Programme
Three year part time blended learning programme incorporating distance and team delivery methods
Blends Insurance examinations with business and personal skills
Involves work based case studies
Office based with ‘day release’
Apprentices become fully competent in one or more of the three core industry roles:
Underwriting
Claims
Direct client advice
Blended learning programme incorporating distance and team delivery methods from both ITS and employers
Proven Insurance award at the heart of the programme with business skills wrapped around
36 months of 9 semesters instead of 6 semesters in 3 traditional academic years working through the summer 48 weeks per year
Academic learning + Work based case studies , learning outcomes are level 8 and industry relevant
Capstone at Award Stage is level 8, comparable and equivalent to existing Level 8 Programmes
Entry level minimum 2 hons with passes in English/Irish& Maths
Year one business modules
Professional Business Communication (Literacy & Numeracy)
Teamwork and Workplace Collaboration
Selling and Customer Service for Insurance Products
Year two business modules
Introduction to Business (Management and Marketing)
E-Business and Innovation / Services Development
Negotiation in Practice
Year three business modules
Innovation, Creativity and Critical Thinking
Financial analysis and interpretation
Business Law for Insurance Practitioners
Big Data / Advanced Excel
Capstone Project / Dissertation

5. National View of Insurance Apprenticeship

6. Choosing the Right Candidates
Education Requirements
Minimum Competency Requirements for applicants aged under 23, none for those over 23
Online Psychometric and Numerical Testing & Online Interview
Assessment Centre
Group Exercise
Practical Exercise
Interviews
‘Earn while you Learn’

7. Summary Attraction Over 170 applications for the Programme each year
Attracts candidates to apply for open roles advertised on the Zurich Website
Training
Candidates graduate with a Degree from IT Sligo through distance Learning Programme & Day release ;
Professional Qualifications in Insurance (CIP)
Retention
70% of the 2016 intake will take up permanent Roles in June 2019
Apprentices rotate around the departments so they have a rounded experience in Zurich

8. Questions?