In recognition of National Volunteer Week in Canada, the Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC) acknowledged the contributions of its volunteers to insurance education, career development, and the broader industry.
Volunteer ambassadors for IIC’s Insurance Career Connections program speak at schools and career fairs. They engage with students, internationally trained insurance professionals, newcomers to Canada, and individuals considering career changes to promote the opportunities available in insurance.
Through the Insurance Career Connections IGNITE program, ambassadors also serve as guest speakers, sharing their industry perspectives with potential professionals interested in areas such as Claims, Brokering, Underwriting, Cyber Security, and other roles. Many of these ambassadors are mid-career or senior insurance professionals who volunteer their time outside their regular work responsibilities to support the future talent pipeline for the industry.
Beyond outreach efforts, volunteers play a significant role within the Institute's internal structure. IIC relies on the participation of volunteer members on its committees and councils to keep its programming aligned with developments in the insurance sector.
These groups are composed of insurance professionals from a range of backgrounds and roles, including brokers, underwriters, claims specialists, risk managers, and executives. Members meet regularly to identify trends, issues, challenges, and changes relevant to the Institute’s programs.
Committee and council volunteers provide guidance that supports the development and improvement of curriculum and learning materials, helping IIC maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations in Canada.
They also contribute to the planning of educational events, including seminars, webinars, and symposiums, by suggesting topics and recommending expert guest speakers. Their work benefits insurance professionals across Canada, as well as in local regions served by the Institute’s chapters.
In addition, the Institutes rely on volunteers who serve as instructors, exam markers, and subject matter experts. These volunteers bring real-world experience into the educational environment by helping to develop, update, deliver, and evaluate course content.
Many instructors are graduates of the Institute’s programs and hold designations such as Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) or Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP). Their participation supports students working toward professional designations and licences, and helps ensure that educational content remains connected to practical, evolving industry needs.
Volunteers also support special projects, including research initiatives, exam development committees, and working groups focused on emerging areas such as technology, climate risk, and cyber insurance. Their involvement helps ensure that the Institute’s offerings remain responsive to current and future industry demands.
“Volunteer involvement is essential for the Insurance Institutes to inform, innovate, and make improvements in insurance industry education,” said Peter Hohman, president and CEO of the Insurance Institute of Canada. “In turn, these efforts help benefit the insurance industry in achieving its overarching goal of helping people and communities recover after accidents, catastrophes, and losses.”
