Although employers can start hiring apprentices as early as the Spring, apprentices will officially start the programme in September of each year.

Have a look at our step-by-step guide to applying →

Check with your employer to see if they are taking part in the programme. The apprenticeship was developed to attract new entrants to the industry and therefore is not currently open to those with an insurance qualification – however if you’re a new entrant without an insurance qualification, you may still be eligible to apply.

Absolutely not. Apprentices can come from a wide range of backgrounds. Anyone who wants to begin a career in the insurance industry, from school leavers to third level students, graduates and career changers can apply to be an apprentice, provided they meet the minimum entry requirements or pass the interview selection process.

You won’t just earn one qualification – you’ll earn three, one each year.

• Year 1: Accredited Product Adviser (APA) – this is the industry’s entry-level qualification. Insurance professionals need this before they can provide advice to customers unsupervised. Find out more about the APA →
• Year 2: Certified Insurance Practitioner (CIP) – the next step on from APA, many employers request their staff have this qualification as a minimum. Find out more about the CIP →
• Year 3: BA (Hons) in Insurance Practice – at the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll graduate with a level 8 honours degree.

• Key business skills such as communication, workplace collaboration, customer service, negotiation, innovation, creativity and critical thinking
• Technical insurance knowledge, which you will obtain by completing professional insurance programmes, the Accredited Product Adviser (APA) and Certified Insurance Practitioner (CIP)
• Skills in emerging areas such as big data and e-business

Entry requirements include a minimum of 2 honours at higher level in the Leaving Cert or equivalent, and a pass in four additional subjects including Maths and English or Irish. If you are over 23, interviews or other selection tools may be used to assess instead of these minimum requirements. There is no work experience requirement.

You must be at least 18 years of age to enter the programme.

Three years, broken down into nine semesters (three per year).

The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship is Ireland’s first apprenticeship to award a level 8 honours degree – the BA (Hons) in Insurance Practice. The three-year, work-based training programme combines academics with on-the-job learning, allowing you to acquire both technical and soft skills. As an apprentice, you will be recruited into an insurance organisation, where you will learn the practical aspects of the job while studying towards your degree. All study is done online through ATU Sligo and The Insurance Institute. Your employer will support you in your on-the-job learning, with regular one to one personal development sessions with your industry supervisor and mentor.

The degree portion of the programme is government funded and you will also be paid a salary by your employer. Salaries will be commensurate with the industry entry-level rate. A reduced apprentice registration fee applies.

As long as you meet the Entry Requirements for the programme, you are eligible to apply for any available apprenticeship positions. You must check that you hold permissions (visa/permit) to work in Ireland.