Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a valuable way of developing new and existing talent. Our guide to getting started shows that it isn't as difficult as you might think.

Apprenticeships in insurance and financial services are work-based training programmes that are an excellent and cost-effective way of developing new and existing staff. The CII's "Guide to getting started" provides employers with everything they need to know about apprenticeships. 

As the insurance and financial services professions looks to widen the talent pool from which they draw in order to secure the professionals of the future, Apprenticeships are playing an ever-increasing role. There remain many myths that surround apprenticeships, especially the perceived bureaucracy. Our guide gives a picture of what is really involved when taking on an apprentice.  

The guide covers a variety of topics, from what an apprenticeship offers through to the benefits of developing existing members of staff alongside hiring apprentice-level employees and what steps a firm needs to follow to make the initiative work.

These include identifying where an apprentice would fit in to the existing business structure, seeking a suitable training provider to help manage the process and arrange funding, methods of recruitment, induction processes, implementing plans to help develop apprentice skills and knowledge and providing regular forums for feedback and evaluation.

Case studies of successful apprentices in both financial planning and insurance broking are included in our guide.

Three things to remember when it comes to apprenticeships …

• Apprenticeships provide a cost effective way to develop new and existing staff. They are a valuable tool in securing future talent.
• Apprenticeships provide the first step on the professional qualifications ladder. Most apprentices go on to study higher lever qualifications.
• The CII is here to help. Email: discover@cii.co.uk