Today marks the last day of National Apprenticeship Week – a week that has seen LinkedIn teeming with content acknowledging, celebrating and promoting the power of alternative access routes into the insurance industry. Speaking with a line-up of apprentices from across the insurance ecosystem, Insurance Business raised two key questions – what does it take to thrive as an insurance apprentice and what advice should every potential apprentice hear?
For Petra Spannenberger (pictured above left), customer care agent and apprentice at Allianz, the trick of making the most of an insurance apprenticeship comes down to being willing to ask for – and be open to – feedback. “For someone who dislikes bothering people, asking for feedback a lot, especially at the beginning, was difficult,” she said. “That’s not because I don't value it, but because I knew how busy everyone was and I didn't want to add to their to-do lists. However, seeing how others see me has been really valuable so it was definitely worth it.”
Fellow Allianz apprentice and foundation business analyst Louise Hobbis (pictured above, centre) underscored the need for insurance apprentices to be “open to the whole experience”. An apprenticeship is tough, she said, there is a lot to learn, assignments to complete and a whole portfolio of evidence to consider. “I have found that being really open and honest with my mentor and manager about how I am doing has been the best way for me to overcome any challenges.”
Zoe Etheridge, underwriting manager and Allianz apprentice advised on the importance of being organised. She highlighted that she initially found the balance of a full-time job, on top of studying difficult, and shared how she had to make sure she had planned out the time each week to be able to complete the modules. However, she said, with the support of your tutor and manager, you do find the right rhythm.
Time management was also a key consideration for Allianz apprentice and desktop support engineer Joe Higginbottom who found that dedication was critical to his success. “The biggest challenge I found was time management, as the apprenticeship must be completed in work hours and requires 20% of the working week to be allocated,” he said. “I overcame this with the support of my manager, allowing me to block out regular time in my calendar for learning.”
Adding her insights as an apprentice with the insurance law firm HF Charlie Conway (pictured above, right) said she believes insurance apprentices should possess a range of qualities, among them confidence, strong interpersonal skills, independence and a positive mindset.
“These attributes help you navigate the challenges of the role, collaborate effectively with colleagues, and maintain a proactive approach to both learning and professional development,” she said. For Amaash Lone (pictured directly above, right) and Harry Atkinson (pictured directly above, left), apprentices at Hazelton Mountford, thriving as an apprentice requires patience, confidence and a determination to learn and to work hard, particularly as there is so much to learn in insurance.
Offering his advice to anyone considering an insurance apprenticeship, Lone said he’d recommend it to people like himself, who might have been confused about which route they want to take. “An apprenticeship not only furthers your education but puts you in the real world too.” Atkinson emphasised the opportunity presented by being able to ‘earn to learn’, particularly compared with university which often leaves students with debt.
He added: “It is useful if you don’t know what you want to do, so just throw yourself into something and hope for the best.” Conway noted that if you’re weighing up the decision between an apprenticeship and university, her advice would be to opt for the former if the opportunity presents itself.
“It’s been the best decision I’ve made in terms of my education,” she said. “An apprenticeship not only allows you to earn a salary but also offers invaluable, practical experience that’s often lacking in a traditional university setting. The hands-on learning and professional development you gain are unparalleled, so it’s an ideal option for those seeking a more direct path into their chosen career.”
Hobbis advised those considering their options to take the time to research the career that they’re interested in, and to think carefully about what work/study rhythm would suit them best. The apprenticeship is a big commitment of time and effort, which will require the support from your organisation and manager. No matter how you choose to progress, remind yourself of the end goal.”
Jake Bairstow, senior customer claims handler and Allianz apprentice also touched on the importance of doing your research. “If you’re interested then find out more, it’s definitely worth it,” he said. “There are introductory meetings where you can find out what the course entails and ask questions about what’s expected of you. You can also ask people who’ve done it before to share their experiences before committing.”
Etheridge also encouraged those who know they want to try a new role to consider an apprenticeship program. It will help you more than you realise, she said, and when you look back, you'll realise how far you have come. The advice from Higginbottom and Spannenberger to those considering the option is clear – “do it”. You’ll learn a lot about yourself, Spannenberger said, as well as gaining valuable skills so it’s definitely worth it.
“Learning new skills and tools in a real-world work environment and having to regularly apply the evidence and learning to your job is a different way of learning and really beneficial,” added Higginbottom. “It takes it away from being something that you just learn in a textbook.”
