The Insurance Apprentice 2018 under way

Its back… series four of The Insurance Apprentice is set to take the insurance industry by storm once again as preparations get under way and applications for the 2018 installment take centre stage.

Applications opened on 1 February and close on 31 August 2017. Taking it regional, once again, applicants in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg stand a fair and equal chance to get into the top eight.         

Why should you enter?

Rianet Whitehead, Editor of FAnews says the aim of The Insurance Apprentice is to excite more young people about what our industry has to offer, what the benefits are and how many growth opportunities there are. The other aim, Whitehead says, is to grow the talent we already have in the industry. 

Winner of The Insurance Apprentice 2017, Kabelo Paile said, “I think every young person in the industry should enter the competition because it will elevate your career and knowledge and exposure into the industry and this is what every young person needs in order to actively take control of their career.” 

Andre Brooks, crowned as winner of The Insurance Apprentice 2016 says he feels privileged to have won the title of The Insurance Apprentice 2016. “The exposure provided by The Insurance Apprentice has certainly enhanced my credibility as an insurance professional, not only internally at Price Forbes, but with the industry at large,” says Brooks. 

Winner of The Insurance Apprentice 2015, Roxanne Griffiths said, “The Insurance Apprentice opened doors to greater exposure within the industry as a whole. Young people really need to see the potential – and I would definitely recommend having a shot at the competition. While the prizes are great, the experience and the learning is even more memorable, and you get the opportunity to sample very different areas of the industry.” 

This, according to Whitehead is what drives the excitement and passion for The Insurance Apprentice. “We hope that this inspires and encourages young people to enter for the next round. The amount of growth we see in participants every year is something many people comment on and it is enlightening to see how the companies these apprentices work for, really embrace and empower these people,” says Whitehead. 

The winner takes all

• The winner will fly to London, in business class, for a week to visit Lloyds of London;
• The winner will also receive a bursary valued at R75 000 from INSETA; and
• The winner wins a cash prize of R20 000 from Masifunde Training Centre. 

Who we are looking for?

If you are younger than 35, have been in the short term insurance industry (any part of it) for four or more years by the time filming starts in January 2018, and you hold a COP or any other professional qualification (not compulsory) then this is just for you. 

We are looking for young people who work in the short term industry, be it at a brokerage, insurer, underwriting manager, loss adjuster, administrator or anywhere else to enter this exciting programme. 

Two options to enter

There are two options to enter. Yes that’s right, you have read correctly. 

Take a shortcut

What if we told you that you can possibly make it to the elimination round without filling in a long application form by taking a shortcut? Skip filling out the application form and take a shortcut by submitting your one minute video telling us why you should be in the elimination round. For more information visit https://goo.gl/2J1bLd to find out how. 

The closing date for shortcut applications will be 11 August and applicants will be notified on

14 August 2017. If you have not been selected as the one to skip the queue, you still have a chance to enter by applying through the normal application process – which is to fill out and submit the application form by 30 August. 

The normal route

Visit http://theinsuranceapprentice.co.za/apply-2018/ and fill out your application and submit it. Please make sure you read about the process before you enter and remember to send us your application before 31 August 2017. 

Regional rounds will take place during the second last week of October in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. If you have been chosen to go through to the second round, you will be notified mid-September. 

After the elimination rounds in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban eight Apprentices will be chosen. Filming will take place from 7 to 12 January 2018. The series will be aired early 2018 via the FAnews and The Insurance Apprentice websites, YouTube and Facebook. 

In showing support we have a few sponsors who have already committed to The Insurance Apprentice 2018 - thank you FNB Insurance Brokers, Hollard, Innosys, INSETA, Insure Group, Lloyds of London, Marsh, Masifunde Training Centre, Price Forbes, Santam, Sasria SOC and Tracker for your support and sponsorship. 

Editor’s Thoughts:
Wow… how time flies! It is hard to believe preparations are underway for series four of The Insurance Apprentice already when it feels like just yesterday, when Rianet took to stage at The Insurance Conference at Sun City to launch The Insurance Apprentice. Up, up and away… to bigger and better let’s see what this series has in store. If you have any questions please comment below, interact with us on Twitter at @fanews_online or email me - myra@fanews.co.za.