Insurance Apprentice Review

Lloyd's is an insurance market and the corporation acts to promote, protect and facilitate the market. I work within Syndicate Capability Oversight where my focus is to provide a consistent framework for Lloyd's to conduct oversight of the market. My day-to-day includes analyzing data to produce reports which highlight areas of improvement for our oversight as well as being involved in high profile projects.

My apprenticeship has acted as a great catalyst for learning. Firstly, I have received excellent support when studying towards my CII exams which vastly develops my knowledge of insurance. In addition, my daily use of outlook, Excel, Microsoft Teams and our CRM data sharing platform has massively helped me develop my tech skills making me more efficient and a greater asset to my team.

The Lloyd's Insurance Apprenticeship is very enjoyable. Unfortunately, due to COVID, I have not been able to experience the exciting social element of working in central London as the Lloyd's building is in a great social location. However, even in the virtual environment, Lloyd's make a conscious effort to promote the social element of work with a number of organized events.

My scheme is structured in three six month placements where as an apprentice you would experience different areas of the business varying across the corporation as well as the market. In addition, the scheme involves a well organized study path which incorporates a lot of exams with specific deadlines to put the apprentice in an impressive position in terms of our qualifications. Finally, the scheme also incorporates a great support network for the apprentice.

As mentioned previously, Lloyd's provide a great support network for the apprentice. At each placement we have our line manager who is responsible for our day to day support. We also have our career manager who is our consistent manager who provides support throughout the 18 month scheme. In addition, support is provided from the Emerging Talent team, our training providers and our exam tutor. Also, importantly, we have support from our fellow apprentices.

Our training provider also provides great support towards studying to our CII qualifications. I meet monthly with my coach where we discuss any issues I may have, I would get set learning exercises and I would be provided with learning resources. We also have a very engaging, experienced and approachable tutor who trains us specifically towards our CII exams.

There is a direct link between my role and my studying. My role is of course very insurance based and therefore the understanding of the principles and fundamentals of insurance developed through my CII exams provide a great foundation to help me perform my role. My role requires more specific and technical knowledge and skills, however the understanding gained from my studies allows me to understand the effect of my role on the wider industry.

Extra-curricular activities are in abundance at Lloyd's. For example, early in my apprenticeship I worked on a project to develop an insurance related game to be used at school events. That is just one example of a host of different extra-curricular activities. These activities are not compulsory and you can therefore chose which best suit your interests and your workload.

Yes

The Lloyd's Insurance Apprenticeship is a great opportunity for young person looking to pursue a career in insurance or the wider financial services industry. The scheme boasts an impressive study path leaving the apprentice in a great position come the end of their apprenticeship. The scheme also allows you to dictate your own career. The three placements, which you have an element of choice, allow you to experience different roles in different areas.

The first piece of advice I would offer is to learn and incorporate the Lloyd's competencies (found on the website) into your application process. Secondly, make sure to be yourself! Try to apply those competencies to your real life experiences, whatever they may be. Think about how you have applied the competencies before in your life, whether that is through the sport you play, your hobbies, charity work, school, work experience etc.