Higos Are Looking to Take on Apprentices!
Insurance is a diverse industry that is dedicated to helping people when they’re at their lowest. With the right insurance, anyone can live their lives knowing that they’ll get the support they need should the unexpected happen to them. We understand that fresh faces and new ideas are needed to keep up with an industry as dynamic as insurance. That’s why Higos Insurance Services have partnered with Wiser Academy. We will be continuing our insurance broker apprenticeship scheme with a view to taking on 8 new apprentices.
Higos Insurance Services has recently achieved Corporate Chartered status from the Chartered Insurance Institute. Based throughout the UK’s South West region, with offices from Bath to Southampton and from Clevedon to Penzance. Every firm that holds Chartered status adheres to an ethical code that underpins broader commitments to professional values.
Higos’ commitments include putting customers’ interests first and investing in the ongoing development of their people’s technical skills and knowledge. We also support wider initiatives that benefit society as well as the growth of the profession.
The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship is an entry-level position in the insurance industry. It will provide you with qualifications that can open a range of new careers in insurance in your future. A few possible careers paths include:
- Underwriting
- Client Relations
- Insurance Claims
- Loss Adjusting
- Broking
- Reinsurance
- Account Management
The apprenticeship will last between 12 – 18 months, with 4 positions based in our Bridgwater branch and 4 based in our Somerton branch. The positions are full time and training will be provided online or on-site. Apprentices that complete the insurance apprenticeships scheme will earn either the Certificate in Insurance (Cert CII) or Certificate in Claims Handling (Cert CILA). They will also be given the opportunity to stay and continue their insurance broker career here at Higos with further study progression all the way to an ACII qualification which is fully funded (equivalent to a degree level qualification).
The vast majority of insurance apprentices from last year have decided to stay at Higos. Some of the former Higos apprentices have kindly given us a look in on their experiences:
“I started on the insurance apprenticeship scheme in September 2021. During my time at Higos, I have learnt a lot of new skills that enable me to develop my knowledge every day. We are always learning something new, whether it is a new insurance product or comparing insurers’ offerings. No two days are the same. Higos believe in all their staff members, and as a result, I am now responsible for my own book of business, from the first contact to closing the renewal for the year, and this always brings a lot of achievement. Within the insurance broker apprenticeship, you will sit 3 exams to become Cert CII qualified, which we have passed 1 already this year and are on the way to sitting the next one shortly. Having weekly training sessions has had a huge impact on my progression within Higos. Before I started here, I knew nothing about insurance and 10 months later I can fulfil my job description effectively every day.
Here at Higos, everyone has made me feel so welcome, no question is a silly question, and everyone has been so inviting and accommodating. Nothing is too much trouble. Being part of the renewals team has been a pleasure, the way everyone works as a team to reach our targets, but also rallying around to help each other makes the harder days easier. I have never met a nicer, more professional bunch of team members to work alongside. Working in an office has its challenges, but there is always something that you can be doing to fulfil your potential. Having the other apprentices to go through the experience with has made it easier, as you all start in the exact same place. Wiser Academy has been fantastic, they have amazing trainers and they deliver the apprenticeship content in such an effective way. They are only ever an email away should we have any questions.”
Chey Welch
Desk Based Executive
“I began my career in insurance and my apprenticeship ten months ago. In that time I have become a more confident broker, knowledgeable in the insurance industry and achieved some impressive sales months all whilst developing relationships with clients.
This would not have been achievable without the support and guidance I’ve received from my team, co-workers and Higos. I can safely say that without the support I would not have developed such strong professional relationships in the industry outside of Higos. These relationships have hugely benefitted my clients and I.”
James Mansfield
Commercial Sales Advisor
One of the Wiser Academy trainers has also provided their own statement:
“As their insurance apprenticeship trainer, I have been working with the Higos apprentices since September last year and helping them through their apprenticeship. The apprentices are driven and professional individuals with the will to succeed and continuously adopt a positive attitude.
We have weekly training sessions, with biweekly face-to-face sessions to make the experience a more personal one. Higos are always very accommodating to my visits. They always make me feel welcome and I am always greeted in a professional and welcoming manner.
I enjoy training the Higos insurance apprentices and look forward to their progression continuing into the future.”
Liz Carter
Insurance & Business Skills Trainer
If you have an interest in joining a dynamic and evolving industry and want to make a difference in people’s lives, then please email your C.V to Vicki.Carter@higos.co.uk or sarah.neale@higos.co.uk. We are proud of our insurance apprenticeships, and we can’t wait to see your application!
If you want to know more from the apprentices at Higos, watch the video below!