Bournemouth: Alan & Thomas plays key role in launch of apprenticeship scheme

Insurance specialists Alan & Thomas Insurance Group played a key part in the recent launch of an industry-wide campaign within the insurance sector to help brokers find staff through a new apprenticeship scheme.

The idea was originally devised by Bournemouth-based Alan & Thomas' HR director Susan Reeves, and was adopted and launched by Brokerbility, a network of 37 UK brokers of which Alan & Thomas represents the South/South West region.

The 18-month scheme will give school leavers a genuine alternative to university, and recruitment will begin with immediate effect. It will lead to a recognised qualification from the Chartered Insurance Institute and will offer apprentices mentoring and coaching, as well as networking opportunities and hands-on work experience in a broking environment.

“I’m delighted that the scheme has been met with an enthusiastic response from our fellow Brokerbility brokers and they have committed to employing at least 20 apprentices within the first year. It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this stage but I’m pleased to have been able to work with Brokerbility to get the idea off the ground and launched across the industry,” explained Reeves.

“There is a real shortage of talented individuals coming into our industry so we have created this opportunity for school leavers who might not have considered a career in insurance. Not only will they acquire a recognised qualification at the end of the apprenticeship but they will also have gained valuable work experience in an office and broking environment, which will put them one step ahead of university graduates who may not necessarily have been exposed to practical work experience.”

Students will be able to apply for the positions via a dedicated website, which will require them to upload their CV and complete psychometric and verbal reasoning tests. Brokerbility will then help their member brokers choose suitable candidates for interview and support them with face-to-face interview questions to minimise programme drop outs.

Alan & Thomas already has two apprentices, Nick Magee and Autum Chamberlain, both local students who chose not to pursue further education but gain valuable work experience while also studying for a business qualification. They will be joined by a further two apprentices over the coming months.