The insurance industry needs to be more creative in the way it finds and attracts talent, an expert has said.
Chenoa Daley, general manager of people and performance at
Gallagher Bassett, said that finding and securing new talent is an issue that the industry needs to approach from a new way.
“I think it has always been a challenge and will continue to be a challenge but I think what we need to do is be a bit more creative in the way that we attract talent and where we source that talent pool from,” Daley told
Insurance Business.
Gallagher Bassett were recently recognised by the Australian Association of Graduate Employers (AAGE) for having one of the top internship programs in the country, regardless of industry.
Gallagher Bassett joined
Suncorp as the only insurance entities on the annual list and Daley said that running a successful internship program not only benefits the business, but the wider industry.
“If we get two years out of someone and they move on to even a competitor or a partner, then we have done our bit for the industry,” Daley continued.
“By attracting and marketing and branding ourselves to a completely different mindset and generation and people with completely different skill sets, we are actually bringing a higher calibre of candidates and talent into our industry.”
Now in its second year, Gallagher Bassett’s internship program sees 11 interns join the firm in a variety of roles and Daley said that giving these junior members of staff actual responsibilities is an important step to developing younger workers.
As an industry that many see as dated or stale, Daley said that highlighting how the industry gives back to both communities and the economy strikes a chord with younger interns and job applicants and could be key to attract more talent to the industry in the long run.
Daley also noted that starting small is a good way to form an internship program, as is selecting a project manager for the program.
For those thinking of setting up their own internship program, Daley said that it is important to get buy-in from the business from the top down.
If executives have an understanding of the program and its aims, it has a better chance of being successful for the employer, interns and clients.
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