RGA launch Inseta supported insurance training program
RGA Reinsurance Company of South Africa has announced the launch of the Claims Professionals Programme, an Inseta supported training programme specifically aimed at claims assessors and administrators. The training programme will be supported by the African Resources Training Group (ARTG), an Inseta accredited trainer and one of the most experienced providers of unit standard-based training and assessment. The RGA sponsored programme will be open to all treaty and non-treaty RGA clients.
The programme aims to provide senior level training that will give recognition to current levels of expertise and provide a delegate with a complete and up to date nationally recognised qualification, relevant to their field.
"One of the issues experienced in the life insurance claims environment is that claims assessors typically have high skills levels, but are often given little recognition for that," says Conrad Backeberg, managing director at RGA. "Assessors need to combine both medical and other technical expertise, including legal expertise, with keen analytical skills, which may have a profound impact on the profitability of an insurer. We have therefore launched this training programme in order to give assessors the skills necessary to fulfill these tasks."
Until recently the insurance industry has not offered many qualifications, according to ARTG director, Andy Reinecke. "Compounding the problem of a lack of relevant training is the fact that claims assessors do not constitute a large percentage of any insurers workforce," says Reinecke. "Underwriters and administrators make up the majority of the numbers, which means that offering training to that segment of the market is both practical and cost effective.
"RGA is fulfilling an important need in the market through the introduction of this training package, as claims assessing has become an increasingly important element of insurance business, as it is an area of business that has a large role to play in determining profitability," continues Reinecke.
The programme will consist of three modules, offering a total of 15 unit standards. Assessors enrolled in the programme will complete one module per year, over a three year period. Completion of all three modules will be necessary to complete the qualification, but each module will be independent, so claims assessors will be able to complete modules when work pressures permit them to do so. Each module will include four lecture days, where assessors will spend the day working through claims issues to prove their competence against the unit standards. The lectures will be widely spread to give assessors ample time to complete the project work and assignments that are course requirements.
"This program offers a robust system as experienced claims assessors will focus on losing the gaps in their skills and knowledge base before completing their assignments, ensuring that no unnecessary time is spent on irrelevant training," says Reinecke. "After each lecture day RGA will also be providing a guest speaker to address the class. With RGAs global reach assessors can be sure that the quality and calibre of guest speakers will add great value to their training, which is of a huge benefit to RGA's clients," he concludes.
