Unique 'Earn and Learn' apprenticeship enables apprentices to carve out a career in a professional and dynamic industry full of possibilities.

As businesses go through their greatest period of disruption in decades following the pandemic, companies are increasingly turning to apprenticeships as a fresh way to attract and develop talent.

There has been a surge in the number of apprenticeships being offered across all business sectors in Ireland in the past few years. Apprenticeships can help to fill skills gaps in a very cost effective manner, while also nurturing future talent.

One of Ireland's top apprenticeship programmes is The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship. Established in 2016, it is Ireland's first 'earn and learn' honours degree programme, designed to future-proof the insurance sector.

Earn and learn

The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship offers participants the chance to work in a full-time salaried position with an insurance employer while studying for their honours degree (BA Hons in Insurance Practice).

The programme is open to insurance employees looking to upskill in the industry, as well as those looking to attain an insurance degree while gaining key experience in the workplace. Everyone who takes part in the apprenticeship will be assigned a mentor and supervisor who will be key to their success and who will oversee their "on the job" training, which is a critical component of the programme.

It's certainly not easy to work and study simultaneously so the apprenticeship is only for those who can be entirely committed to the programme but with good support from their mentor, supervisor and employer, it can be a great experience leading to a sustainable career. Employers also benefit from taking on an apprentice (and providing them with the support needed), as they will gain experienced, dedicated and highly qualified employees.

Speaking to Newstalk.com, Dermot Murray, CEO of The Insurance Institute, said:

"The programme is this year celebrating its seventh year and I am delighted to say that we continue to see tremendous interest in the programme - the apprenticeship has been hugely successful at bringing new talent into the sector, as well as providing apprentices with a unique chance to carve out a sustainable and interesting career for themselves, while they also achieve a third level qualification.

Mr Murray continued, “It is worth stating though that the apprenticeship is not for everyone – you need to be extremely hardworking and determined – working full-time and studying is not for the faint hearted – but it is of course entirely worth it for those who are ambitious and dedicated to building a career for themselves in a professional industry, full of opportunities."

It should be noted that through the programme, employers recruit the apprentices directly. The Insurance Institute is on hand to help but the employer has full autonomy over who they hire and this is best as they know the type of candidate they need for their business.

Now in its seventh year, The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship has seen the vast majority of its graduates go on to flourish in their careers.

So if you would like to learn more about The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship, visit: EarnAndLearn.ie. Recruitment for the 2022 programme is currently underway.