Luring fresh talent

Skills developement presents a significant challenge for the South African society, as the country advances in the modern world, careers which were traditionally appealing have lost their appeal in favour of those which the younger generation think will offer the best opportunities in the future, this leaves the traditional industries caught between a rock and a hard place trying to manage the dual challenge of running the industry while attracting young blood.

Gay-Lynn Rheeders from Rhed Oliv Insurance Brokers has noticed this challenge and has decided to take proactive steps to resolve this growing challenge.

 

Rheeders decided that the best way to resolve this would be to open up the industry to the general public by increasing their awareness of the industry. This was achieved through attendance at ‘school career events.’

"Educators, parents and learners were confused says Rheeders. There is no exposure through any means, relating to insurance careers. Most only know what they see on television or their experiences which are mostly negative. When we explain that we are not a tertiary institution, but creating awareness of career opportunities and arranging work experience, they pay attention. Most seem to think of insurance purely in terms of sales or cold calling and parents don't want their children to fit the negative pictures they have in their minds.”

Rhed Oliv Insurance Brokers interacted in various ways with 21 high schools in and around Durban in 2012 and so far in 2013 the company has interacted with 15 in the same way.

Participation varies from whole day events that include a number of different schools at the same venue, to evening events, Saturday morning events, talks at schools to groups of learners that relate only to pupils in those schools. Some of the events relate just to one particular grade, others are open to the entire school. Most of the events are attended by educators, learners and parents. Rheeders reports that since the company started attending the career events, there has been an overwhelming response. "We are having a much more positive response in 2013, which possibly relates to the fact that educators, some learners and parents have seen us before and now know what our project is about. We are also now attending under the name "My Career in Insurance”.

Parents and educators are encouraging learners to do work experience in the school holidays, because they realise that it is opening the learners minds and offering more opportunities for employment, in industries they have no knowledge of.

After spending some time in the industry, it became clear to Rheeders that there was a definite need to introduce the industry to a younger audience. This then became a strong focus of hers.

In 2011, Rheeders was discussing career details with her daughter who was then in Grade 10. Rheeders asked her how many of her friends were considering anything insurance related as a career option. She laughed and told Rheeders that they don't even know what Insurance is. Rheeders realised that the lack of information about any industry is limiting the opportunities that learners have, when considering careers.

Rheeders vision for the industry is being carried out through the My Career in Insurance Non Profit Company, which provides the public with the information that they need to know about the industry.

"We are currently arranging work experience and sharing information about tertiary study route options in line with the IISA designations. This is a work in progress.” she says.

With the future of the industry in the hands of people passionate about not only the industry but also in community development, there is a bright future on the horizon for the South African insurance industry.