Insurance and Reinsurance Apprentice Review

My role on a day to day basis includes tasks like: emailing insurers and clients, making phone calls, collecting policy terms, sending out documents, creating renewal letters, updating the MID, uploading documents to Acturis, making mid term adjustments, calculating premiums and other small adminstrative tasks to help out my team. I will usually have a short meeting with my manager on a daily to catch up on tasks and what my days responsibilities will include.

Yes, throughout my apprenticeship so far I have definitely gained new skills and learnt a lot. I have done this by all the training sessions provided and through actually carrying out new types of tasks. One of these has been writing professional emails and being able to use the software needed. I have also generally broadened my whole insurance knowledge including about the market and the actual products available. I am now 2/3's of the way through to achieving my first professional qualification.

So far I have really enjoyed my programme, as I have had the oppurtunity to learn so much, however with it being all work from home due to Covid I found it a little bit harder getting used to everything and getting into the swing of things, obviously this would have been easier going into the office and just understanding things better that way. My team and office are very friendly and easy to get along with, everything has met my expectations so far.

My overall programme is well structured with expectations given throughout as to when we have to take our exams by and how the training and revision modules are set out. The apprenticeship programme is quite well organised, I really enjoyed the induction, however some days I feel my day to day schedule could be a bit better, as tasks can sometimes not be as well delegated and can be quite confusing. But obviously starting a whole new job remotely can be quite difficult anyways.

When I need support I can easily ask my manager/mentor or know who to contact if needs be. I know what support is available and where I would need to ask, so in this case I feel I receive enough support that my employer provides. Especially in the starting stages I was very well supported.

I have meetings with my coach (part of the training provider) about every two months, where we catch up on what I have learnt, the progress I have made, go through set assignments, what steps I need to complete next, more training sessions available for me to attend and whats expected of me in terms of my professional qualifications and exams.

I think my qualification I aiming to achieve, that I revise for, helps me massively in my role as obviously it is very much linked and covers topics that I deal with on a day to day basis. This means I have a better understanding and can grasp these concepts better when actually carrying out the work that includes them and dealing with real life situations.

My office holds socials every so often where we are all encouraged to go and take part in, there we activities on seasonal celebrations like Christmas and Easter. Over the Covid lock down period there was also morning coffee catch ups just for the chance for people to get together and also a morning fitness session before work hours begin. There is also the local institute of insurers that hold events and training sessions. I have joined the Association of Apprentices Council outside of work to help new oncoming apprentices with their experience.

Yes

Aon have a very diverse workforce and an inclusive culture throughout, which makes it a very safe and easy going environment to work in. The colleagues are always very friendly and welcoming, allowing anyone to feel comfortable in the atmosphere. Aon also has strong core values and a support system great for personal and professional growth for anyone.

As the application process can be quite long, make sure to put your best foot forward and present yourself well, just be yourself that way you'll stand out. Appear confident and speak clearly in your interviews. Be a great team player and showcase that at the assessment days, include everyone and as much as you can. Don't throw anyone under the bus just to make yourself 'look good'. Ask plenty of questions and remain calm because nerves can get the better of you. Make sure to have some sort of experience down on your CV and literally just be your genuine self.