Underwriting Assistant Review

My role involves processing our bound policies onto our internal online system, this involves careful processing of data so that it can be reported on to our insurers who are our clients. I also help by doing adhoc asks for the underwriters in my team such as checking bordereaux and information packs which are sent to the insurers.

When joining the apprenticeship I didn't know much at all, I have learnt a lot from my studies as well as my day-to-day role. I have learnt a lot about our processes and developed skills in analysis and also communicating with more senior colleagues when I spot a problem as well as helping to solve issues too. I am knowledgeable about the system we use in my team and can help others when they are unsure too.

I have really enjoyed having a job and learning at the same time. I have found that the people I work with are not only really helpful in my role but also kind and friendly so I genuinely enjoy a lot of my time at work. It has also been really useful to have the CII qualifications running alongside my role as it had allowed me to learn about insurance in general relating to my role and outside of it.

The programme is pretty structured in terms of time frames and what is expected of us. Our training provider has kept the programme very structured other than towards the end when our allocated dates for our EPA completion were changed about a few times. Aon as a company have also kept the programme structured but perhaps could have communicated some parts of it better - for example, we also do a social impact project at the end of our apprenticeship and this was not touched on a lot until it came round to doing them, whereas it would have been nice to have been more informed beforehand.

Aon are supportive in our studies and offer rewards for completing the apprenticeship. Mangers understand the commitment that the apprenticeship takes and are copied into most important emails regarding the apprenticeship to that they are also kept in the loop. My manager is very supportive and helps out wherever she is needed.

The training provider provides everyone with a 'coach' who you have meetings with and will help you throughout your apprenticeship. My coach was really nice and helpful and was always available to offer advice, I feel lucky to have had this kind of support because I knew he was always willing to help where possible.

It has helped give me a better understanding of insurance in general which will have had knock on effects on my role. As my role was quite low level, I'm not sure how much of it actually impacted my day-to-day tasks but definitely moving forward it's given me a much better understanding to build upon. It also really helps to have some knowledge from the qualifications because you can have some understanding when discussing insurance with your colleagues have been in the industry for years.

My office does have a few extra curricular activities such as a running club after work. Everyone is also pertty sociable so there are often social events at lunch time or throughout the year to get together and raise money for charity. The company are also very supportive of colleagues attending CII events for further learning or networking.

Yes

There are lots of benefits for working for such a large company and I think employees are treated well. The atmosphere is really good in the office with so many friendly and helpful colleagues around. The apprenticeship scheme is also great because there are quite a lot of apprentices taken on each year so you can make some great friends within your cohort.

I would recommend trying to get work experience in the industry, even if it's just a week of work shadowing, I think the recruiters really like to see that. Also be yourself because they're really just trying to find people that will fit in well and get along with everyone as well as being hardworking.