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Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship

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Hiring for this year's programme is now closed and will re-open in the Spring of 2021.

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What is it? How it works Who it’s for Entry Requirements Who’s Hiring FAQ

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.

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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 a year-by-year breakdown of the programme for the general insurance stream of the apprenticeship. To learn more about the life apprenticeship programme, visit the LIA website.

Year 1

While you’re learning the ropes on-the-job, you’ll also be studying:

  • The nature of insurance
  • Compliance and advice
  • Personal general insurance
  • Professional business communication
  • Teamwork and workplace collaboration
  • Selling and customer service for insurance products

Qualification:

Accredited Product Adviser (APA)

Year 2

Once you’re settled into your role, you will move on to learning about:

  • Commercial general insurance
  • Risk control and underwriting
  • Claims and loss adjusting
  • General insurance broking
  • Numeric technical communication
  • Introduction to business (management and marketing)
  • E-business and innovation
  • Negotiation in practice

Qualification:

Certified Insurance Practitioner (CIP)

Year 3

For your final year as an apprentice, you’ll advance your knowledge and expertise through:

  • Capstone project/dissertation
  • Innovation, creativity and critical thinking
  • Financial analysis and interpretation
  • Business law for insurance practitioners
  • Big data/advanced Excel

Qualification:

BA (Hons) in Insurance Practice

Register your interest

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.

Paddy Power, Career Changer
Stephanie Lewis, New Graduate
Aloise Robinson, School Leaver

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

1
Do you currently work in the industry and hold an insurance qualification?
Yes No
2
Are you under 23 years of age?
Yes No
3
Do you have (or expect to receive) a minimum of 2 honours in higher level Leaving Cert subjects?
Yes No
4
Do you have (or expect to receive) four additional Leaving Cert passes including Maths and English/Irish?
Yes No
5
Do you have a related FETAC level 5 or 6 award including distinction grades in at least 3 components?
Yes No
6
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.
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Answer

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

Register your interest to find out when companies are hiring.
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Answer

Great! You’re eligible to apply. Register your interest and we’ll let you know when applications open.
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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.
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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! Check out the latest apprenticeship positions in our Job Bank by clicking below.

Murray & Spelman - Insurance Apprentice

Murray & Spelman - Insurance Apprentice

Murray & Spelman (Financial Services) Ltd. continues to grow as one of the leading Financial Brokers in Ireland with offices in both Galway & Kildare. We have been helping our customers look after their Financial Services needs for over 60 years.

Apply Now
AIG - Insurance Apprentice

AIG - Insurance Apprentice

The American International Group (AIG) serves commercial, institutional, and individual customers in more than 130 countries through one of the most extensive worldwide property-casualty networks of any insurer. AIG employees have the unique opportunity to accelerate their career across the multiple business lines, functions, and regions in which we operate. Strong work ethic, motivation, and talent will ensure your success at AIG, as we provide exceptional opportunities for growth throughout our global business.

Apply Now
Pegasus Financial Consultancy - Financial Administrator

Pegasus Financial Consultancy - Financial Administrator

Founded in 2011, Pegasus Financial Consultancy is a specialist financial planning practice based In Cork City that provides bespoke financial plans for SME’s public and private sector clients. Our key services include Wealth Management, Retirement Planning as well as Investment Planning. Our emphasis is on delivering exceptional financial advice, to assist our clients in achieving their medium and long term financial goals

Apply Now
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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.

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