The leading global provider of risk management and human resource consulting and outsourcing, today joined with partners from across the insurance and risk management industry to launch the first ever sector-wide apprenticeships programme.
The launch is being marked with an event at the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) attended by Matthew Hancock MP, Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise, and Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, once an apprentice himself. The programme, a response to the Government’s Insurance Growth Action Plan, brings together the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) as well as partners from across the insurance and risk management industry. This working group will continue to shape the industry’s response to the government’s ambition to double the number of apprentices in the sector.
“This programme is the first of its kind for the risk management and insurance industry in the UK so we’re pleased to have played such a key part in it,” said Dominic Christian, CEO of Aon UK. “The UK is the heart of the global insurance industry and at Aon we’re committed to empowering young people from all backgrounds with the training needed to ensure this important industry continues to play a pivotal role in the UK economy. We must ensure the sector has the skills and talent to respond positively to the challenges of the future.”
“National Apprenticeships Week aims to showcase the diversity and value of apprenticeship qualifications so I’m pleased to be able to launch this initiative from one of our most important industries,” said Matthew Hancock MP, Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise. “It demonstrates how apprenticeships have an important role to play in every sector of the economy, including ones which might not traditionally have employed apprentices. Apprenticeships provide the opportunity for thousands of young people to earn while they learn; gaining a valuable qualification and experience of work in an industry.”
“The Aon apprenticeships scheme is a great opportunity for those who might not want to go to university,” said Alex Lee, who started on the inaugural Aon apprenticeship scheme in 2012. “I was new to the world of insurance but I’ve made enormous progress on the scheme since joining, including completing my CII qualification. I’ve also had the opportunity to experience the real world of business. I am now a Client Manager at Aon, dealing directly with client’s requests and committed to providing excellent customer service.”
