Insurance Apprentice Review

As an insurance broker, we give our clients exemplary advice within the insurance industry and we help negotiating insurance cover on behalf of our clients. It is therefore vital that we keep a structured and clear form of communication between the client and ourselves, which are often done over email and/or phone calls. I also get to participate in meetings both externally and internally and I also help prepping for these renewal meetings by assisting my manager with renewal questionnaires, statistics for the renewal report, drafting emails to insurers, requesting terms to insurers, invoicing and providing clients with 'no claims' letters.

Absolutely! I have learnt how to structure my emails in a professional manner and my excel skills have improved massively. Regarding skills related directly to the insurance industry, I have had the opportunity to study and sit professional exams (CII). It is crucial to sit these exams in order to excel within the job and also throughout my insurance career. Aon also hosts internal webinars for all employees, for example; updates on the current insurance market and how the market affects the different lines of business' and the industry as a whole. As an apprentice, there are also external coaching sessions leading up to each exam. These are hosted by professionals with broad knowledge about the insurance industry and also the content of each individual exam.

I enjoy my programme and my job very much and I have been lucky to join a fantastic team. I was told from day one that no questions are silly at this stage and that was really nice to hear as a timid apprentice! The team is broken into two micro teams with two Client Service Managers leading each team individually. I think Aon's business culture is inclusive and they validate each employee equally as much regardless of his or hers protected characteristics. Despite the current climate, the apprenticeship becoming virtual and not being able to see colleagues or go to the office, I have thoroughly enjoyed my first seven months working for Aon and they have made me feel welcome from day one.

As mentioned, the apprenticeship was forced to become virtual last minute and as these are unprecedented times, no one really knew how well it would work. We had to have our induction online via WebEx where we got introduced to various people within Aon and we also had a specific introduction to the insurance industry on day two. Throughout my time as an apprentice, I have had a good support network around me, both from my team and manager and also from my apprenticeship coach. I never feel overloaded with tasks and I don't feel scared to ask my manager or the rest of the team if I am ever stuck doing a piece of work.

I think there has been a good balance between work tasks and revision and my manager has been understanding when I need to put in extra time for revision leading up to an exam. As an apprentice, I get study leave which is effectively a day off to focus on the exam and its content. My manager has let me choose my study leave whenever it suits me the most and help is always offered if I need it. Aon as a whole has also been supportive of my professional qualifications and several people in my team has offered their help either with work related tasks or exam questions.

I have had great support from my apprenticeship coach up until now as she recently left the training provider company and I am yet to receive a new coach. This was over a month ago. Unfortunately, I feel like I have been slightly let down by this as no updates or information have been given regarding the current situation. I would have loved to rate my training provider 10/10 because it was really good, but as I don't have a coach at the moment, I cannot give the training provider the score it should have had. The revision coach on the other hand has been absolutely amazing and supported myself and fellow apprentices with our professional exams.

The more knowledge I gather regarding the insurance industry, the better. This is crucial in order to succeed in this job. It will potentially take years before I am comfortable in my field of expertise but, the exams are a huge booster in order for me to get to my end goal and become a fully qualified advisor. By revising and sitting the exams, I feel like I can keep up with discussions and webinars regarding the insurance market and I can also contribute in work related conversations taking place in meetings and over emails.

Over lockdown, there have been virtual work-out and yoga classes that Aon employees can attend. But I do not believe there are any extra-curricular events that Aon hosts beside this. Perhaps it has all been put on hold while we have been in lockdown. I know my team attend social events together e.g. a cocktail making class in 'real life', but I have not been able to experience this yet due to the circumstances.

Yes

I think it is a lovely company to work for and they see each employee individually despite of its mammoth size. Aon's business culture is inclusive and friendly and you won't feel intimidated when you start. They include you in meetings, emails and client calls and you truly feel like you are a part of the team from day one, despite the lack of knowledge and experience.

This is a higher apprenticeship and the competition is therefore fierce. The application process is long and I would recommend only applying to one stream at the time. If you get to have a video interview, please do research on your chosen industry and be yourself. I would also recommend that you google Aon and do your research on the company before your assessment day and/or virtual interviews. Lastly, be honest with the interviewer and answer the questions truthfully and as thoroughly as you possibly can.