Earn and Learn Ireland – Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship

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Who’s Hiring?
Hiring for 2021 Now Closed. Re-opening early 2022.
More on this

Hiring Closed

What is an insurance apprenticeship?

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 IT Sligo and The Insurance Institute or the LIA.

How it works

Check your eligibility		On-the-job*
You should review the Entry Requirements for the programme. You register your interest for the programme to receive job notifications from employers across Ireland. You apply to apprenticeship positions available on the Jobs page. You can approach local employers in your area to inquire about an apprenticeship. You can access helpful CV tips, interview advice, personal development exercises and articles on our resources page.		You’ll specialise in one of the core industry areas – underwriting, claims or direct customer support. Learn more about these areas You’ll learn about the business by completing projects and case studies. You’ll study through a blend of online lectures, discussions and face-to-face group sessions – all during working hours. A mentor and supervisor will help you along the way. You’ll earn a salary and your academic training is government funded*.

* Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all on-the-job tasks may be carried out remotely. This is subject to the employer’s policy

* Employers set salaries that are commensurate with the industry rate for the job. A reduced annual apprentice registration fee applies.

Below is an overview of what you will focus on year-by-year and a full breakdown of the programme modules available for the general insurance stream of the apprenticeship can be viewed here and the life insurance stream here.

Year 1

While you’re learning the ropes on-the-job, you’ll also be studying a wide range of insurance and business-related modules including professional business communication, teamwork and workplace collaboration, and selling and customer service for insurance.

Qualification:

Accredited Product Adviser (APA)
Accredited Product Advisor (APA Life & Loans)

Year 2

Once you’re settled into your role, you will start to specialise more with regards your technical insurance modules and be learning more around wider business concepts including marketing principles, service development, E-business and innovation, and negotiation in practice.

Qualification:

Certified Insurance Practitioner (CIP)
Certificate in Professional Financial Advice (QFA)

Year 3

For your final year as an apprentice, you’ll advance your knowledge and develop expertise through modules focused on innovation, creativity and critical thinking, financial analysis and interpretation, business law for insurance practitioners, big data, advanced Excel and a Capstone project/dissertation on a topic of your choice.

Qualification:

BA (Hons) in Insurance Practice

Who’s it for?

The apprenticeship programme is designed for School Leavers, New Graduates, and Career-Changers who meet the Entry Requirements and want to build a new career in the general or life insurance industry.

Listen to what our past and present apprentices have to say about their experience in the programme.

What’s expected of you?

Employers look for a combination of academic and soft skills when hiring apprentices. Having the right combination of both is a key advantage that will get you noticed.

You meet the Entry Requirements
You apply for available apprenticeship positions on our Jobs page or seek an apprenticeship with an insurance company in your region.
You’re a ‘people person’ and are comfortable speaking face-to-face, online and over the phone.
You have the ambition to take on a position for three years.
You can work remotely and in an office environment.
You can balance time between work, study and exams.*
You have a basic understanding of spreadsheet (Excel) software.

*All exams take place online.

What are the requirements

Do you currently work in the industry and hold an insurance qualification?

Yes No

Are you under 23 years of age?

Yes No

Do you have (or expect to receive) a minimum of 2 honours in higher level Leaving Cert subjects?

Yes No

Do you have (or expect to receive) four additional Leaving Cert passes including Maths and English/Irish?

Yes No

Do you have a related FETAC level 5 or 6 award including distinction grades in at least 3 components?

Yes No

Do you have another qualification, such as GCEAS, A2, AVCE, Double Award, BTEC etc?

Yes No

Answer

The apprenticeship programme is open to those currently working in the industry, subject to certain criteria. Please check with your employer to see if they are participating in the programme.

Start again

Answer

You’re eligible to apply! Interviews and other assessment tools are used in the recruitment process.

Start again

Answer

Great! You’re eligible to apply. Register your interest and we’ll let you know when applications open.

Start again

Answer

You may not be eligible to apply for the programme right now. Have a look at the detailed entry requirements for

further information or email us at apprenticeship@iii.ie with any questions.

Start again

Back to the start

Who’s hiring?

From large corporations to small hometown brokerages, insurance companies from all over Ireland are looking for talented, driven and team-oriented apprentices like you!

Hiring for the 2021 Programme is now closed. Re-opening early 2022.

Hiring Now Closed

FAQ’s

Although apprentices can start their positions early, the next apprentices will officially start the programme in September 2021.

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 IT 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.