It all adds up for insurance learners

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INVESTING: Dave Hill (centre) of Commrisk Insurance Brokers with learners Refilwe Nyathi (left) and Phalatse Ramgata (right) at the Insurance Setas launch of the new learnership programme.

Workplace staff

The Insurance Seta (Inseta) recently launched a learnership programme aimed at the often-neglected insurance SMME sector. With this new learnership programme, the seta hopes to increase the number of skilled and FAIS-compliant professionals in its sector.

According to Inseta CEO Sandra Dunn, the programme was developed as a response to the discrepancy between the high national unemployment rate and the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the insurance sector.

An initial group of 180 matriculants will have the opportunity to obtain a NQF Level 4 qualification as well as receive training towards becoming FAIS compliant.

The learnership programme will also offer its participants the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the workplace. Once they have successfully completed their 12-month training, the learners will receive assistance in finding meaningful employment.

Speaking at the launch of the SMME learnership in Joburg, Dunn said that the Department of Higher Education had created an increased sense of urgency for the setas to create more direct links with the workplace.

“School leavers are often left with little or no opportunity for higher education and are forced to take any unskilled employment that is available, “ she said. “This continues to exacerbate the lack of job creation and hinder transformation. Our new programme circumvents that by offering learners work experience and an income. At the same time, matriculants get invaluable sector skills and a qualification that ensures development of both the individual and the sector itself.”

Some 60 organisations across the Free State, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal will be hosting learners during their training period. The theoretical training will be run by the African Resources Training Group (ARTG), which helped the Inseta develop the learnership. ARTG has a reputable track record, having achieved a 90 percent pass rate with its other programmes.

The Inseta has partnered with various other organisations to ensure that all bases are covered and that the learnership programme achieves all its goals

“One of Inseta’s aims is to form strategic long-lasting partnerships that will continue to yield benefits for the wider economy, even after the completion of this programme,” Dunn elaborated. “Hopefully together we will continue to pursue other courses of action that will enable further job creation through these mutually beneficial relationships.”

Talent Up, an HR consulting SMME, will act as project manager of the learnership programme – this to ensure both learners and SMMEs achieve the best possible outcomes.

The CEO of Talent Up, Serena Gopaul, believes the Inseta has done a wonderful job of ensuring that no parties are left wanting for anything.

“The programme allows SMMEs to develop and invest in talent, with the opportunity for substantial return on investment,” she said. “The Inseta pays the monthly stipend of the learners. Other support to the learners will include an SMS portal, counselling, quarterly visits from Talent Up, and learner engagement through connect sessions.”

Vodacom has come on board as a sponsor: it will provide each and every learner with a WebBox, a portable device that allows internet access through a television plus a year’s worth of free data for the device. This means that learners will be able to obtain all the information needed for their learnership at no expense – and will at the same time be able to become technology-savvy.

According to Gopaul, it is not only the learners who will receive support as Talent Up and the Inseta have put in place structures and systems to help the participating employers as well.

Inseta has set the pass rate target at 90 percent but Dunn said she believed this could be achieved. “Despite the high targets, I believe in the programme’s potential,” she stated. “Besides, not everything is about numbers; with this programme we want to be able to say that we have changed lives.”

Dunn pointed out that learners will have a good qualification and invaluable experience to add to their CVs once they have completed the learnership. Should they not manage to secure permanent jobs with the companies that participate in the learnership programme, they will at least be better equipped to compete.

“Andrew Reinecke of ARTG put it so well when he said ‘you can lose a job, but not a qualification’,” she commented.”

“With this programme, we aim to develop skilled employees who can put their organisations on the path of sustainable success, who can innovate and create new products and services, and thus create even more jobs in the long run.”

Dunn believes the effects of the learnership programme could be far-reaching.

“There is a great need for training of this nature in the insurance sector as small businesses and skilled training are key ingredients for growth and development in SA.”