INSETA congratulates Liberty Learnership Programme on 95% throughput pass rate

Ms Dunn said, "It is uplifting to know that this INSETA - endorsed training programme has an exceptional throughput rate of 95%. In the nine years of its existence, a total of 786 out of 825 trainees qualified successfully.”

Ms Dunn added that the selection process was crucial to identifying suitable learners for company programmes. "If a learner shows the right aptitude for a career path, and proves her/himself, s/he will most likely be employed by the company. We are therefore thrilled that 59% of learners have been successfully retained by Liberty as either full-time or part-time employees. INSETA has a passion for developing young people and we are encouraged that Liberty has such a high conversion rate of learners into employment. It is noteworthy when an employer utilises a learnership programme to identify and train its own talent, with a view to employment.”

Liberty is a leading financial services provider, offering investment, insurance and health services to individuals and businesses, in 14 countries across Africa. The Liberty Learnership Programme commenced in 2004 to train unemployed and previously disadvantaged youth, between the ages of 18 – 25 for one year. Liberty partnered with INSETA to train learners in short-term and long-term insurance, wealth management, the contact centre, business administration and human resources.

Liberty views the learnership as an investment which provides skilled potential employees for its company, and moreover, it produces competent and potentially qualified Financial Advisory Intermediary Services (FAIS) representatives for entry level positions.

Mr Ivan Mzimela, the Group Executive of Group Strategic Services at Liberty stated, "Youth unemployment is one of the most pressing issues facing our nation today. We recognise that finding a workable solution is critical for the future of our country and for our industry. Corporate South Africa has a responsibility to play an active role in working with government to tackle this issue. One of the key difficulties faced by young people entering the work environment is that they often aren't adequately prepared for the workplace. This affects their ability to remain employed as well as their prospects for career advancement. Liberty is committed to assisting the youth in dealing with such challenges."

Liberty has successfully created a talent pool within its company and increased the level of performance and productivity as a result of the learnership programme. Hiring staff which the company has trained is of great benefit to Liberty as it saves funds that would otherwise have been used on recruitment costs.

More…

INSETA recently honoured Liberty with an award for 1) its success with a high conversion rate of learners to employees and 2) for its continuous support within the Insurance Sector.

INSETA constantly seeks to expand and develop the pool and quality of scarce and indispensable skills in the insurance sector, thereby improving the sector and supporting South Africa’s transformation.

For more information on a career in the Insurance sector visit the INSETA website at www.inseta.org.za