Sligo leads the way for innovative new apprenticeships
A NEW degree apprenticeship programme for the insurance industry has just launched with over 60 apprentices recruited into insurance organisations around the country. The programme was launched by Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD at an event in IT Sligo.
The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship was developed by IT Sligo, The Insurance Institute and the wider industry and allows school leavers, graduates and career changers to get a foot in the door to one of Ireland’s largest and most diverse financial services sectors. Apprentices are working towards the BA ( Hons) in Insurance Practice degree while earning a salary and gaining vital workplace skills.
Apprentices complete the degree portion online through distance learning, within their workplace, making the programme suitable for organisations nationwide.
Speaking of the programme’s launch, President of The Insurance Institute of Sligo Brendan Boyle commented on how these types of schemes are transforming third level education in Ireland.
“The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship helps to fill many gaps, both in the insurance industry and in the education space. At The Insurance Institute we have a foot in both camps so the development of this programme has been a huge strategic priority for us. Although a nationwide programme, much of the innovation has been nurtured here in Sligo through our involvement with the Institute of Technology – a fantastic achievement for the local area and I look forward to seeing it expand into the future.”
Another cohort of apprentices will be hired into insurance next year, with recruitment beginning in Spring 2017.
More information can be found on The Insurance Institute’s website iii. ie/ apprenticeships.