The New Hampshire Association of Insurance Agents (NHAIA) recently signed standards to create a new 18-month Registered General Insurance Associate Apprenticeship program through ApprenticeshipNH, a program within the Community College System of NH. This new consortium program will help address workforce needs through a statewide alliance of 2,000 business owners and employees who offer all types of insurance and financial services products.
“Working with NHAIA and connecting directly to its statewide trade association is just another way that we are helping solve the workforce puzzle in New Hampshire,” said Tracey Jackson, CCSNH’s ApprenticeshipNH grant manager. “It’s important for companies to have a consistent pool of qualified candidates who can earn while they learn, and this program will help do that.”
“Partnering with NHAIA to develop a General Insurance Associate Apprenticeship program will provide students with relevant training and hands-on experience that will put them on a pathway to enter a viable career either while in high school or directly upon graduation,” said Anne Banks, ApprenticeshipNH High School grant manager. “This is part of the next generation of young talented insurance agents who will have a career path mapped out for a future of success.”
Job seekers will be introduced to the insurance industry through on-the-job training and related instruction, all while earning competitive pay. Employers will assist in training these workers to fill open positions. Using the “earn-while-you-learn” model of ApprenticeshipNH, the program includes over 2,100 hours of on-the-job training along with nearly 150 of related technical instruction through NHAIA.
NHAIA is part of Big I – Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America – and is the state’s largest provider of insurance education. This is association-sponsored program includes multiple opportunities at a wide variety of insurance agencies, both large and small, across the state. NHAIA is a voluntary statewide trade association and as consortium sponsor, the 2,000 business owners and employees of NHAIA can enter into a simple, one-page agreement to participate in the apprenticeship program, simplifying the process for the employer.
Registered Apprenticeships are a proven solution for businesses with workforce shortages to hire and retain workers while acting as an opportunity for jobseekers to earn immediate employment with steadily increasing wages and develop new skills in high-demand fields. Programs focus on opportunities within the advanced manufacturing, automotive technology, biomedical technology, business and finance, construction and infrastructure, healthcare, hospitality and information technology sectors. The addition of the ApprenticeshipNH-High School team is proving to play an integral role in the development of a talent pipeline by connecting sponsors with high school students through a pre-apprenticeship to Registered Apprenticeship pathway.
To learn more about ApprenticeshipNH, including apprenticeship and sponsor opportunities, contact apprenticeshipusanh@ccsnh.edu or visit apprenticeshipnh.org.
PHOTO:
Back Row: Katie Cole, Director of Special Projects and Apprenticeship Liaison,NHAIA, Kathleen Totten-AACC Grant Manager, CCSNH, Becky Lewis-Director of Workforce Development, CCSNH, Anne Banks-ApprenticeshipNH-HS grant manager, CCSNH, Liz Arcieri-HS Apprentice and Business Outreach Specialist, CCSNH, Mary Ann Gaschnig-HS Apprentice and Business Outreach Specialist, CCSNH, Judy Durst- Director of Education, NHAIA
Front Row: Beth Needham- Chair Elect, NHAIA, Joan Pageau, President, NHAIA, Chris Nicolopoulos-Commissioner of the NH Insurance Department, Leo Paquin-Chairman of the Board, NHAIA
