RSA Apprentices Claim Success

LONDON, Feb. 28 -- RSA Insurance Group issued the following news release:

Co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, the tenth National Apprenticeship week is designed to celebrate the positive impacts that apprenticeships and traineeships have on individuals, businesses and the economy.

Andy Briggs, aged 19, is a claims handler with a financial services apprenticeship based at RSA's Halifax office. He secured his apprenticeship after starting at university and soon realising that a degree course was not for him.

"University wasn't right for me, instead the apprenticeship has enabled me to earn while I learn and that is very appealing. Not only am I getting paid to develop myself, I'm also building my skill base for the future--skills that I can use in other roles."

Like Andy, Jessica Feldman, aged 18 is also a claims handler. The apprenticeship route appealed to her because it enabled her to become more independent. She acknowledges the discipline needed to work and to study ensuring a good balance of her time for both and offers some sound advice for anyone interested in applying for an apprenticeship:

"I would advise anyone who isn't 100 Percent sure about going to university to consider an apprenticeship, as you'll get the opportunity to build a strong foundation of qualifications and experience at the same time! Don't go to university just because your parents want you to. I have been amazed at the support you get in the workplace here, where everyone wants you to succeed."

Ian Currie, UK motor and injury claims director at RSA said:

"All our apprentices are progressing well within the programme. They're starting to build up the technical knowledge and operational skills needed to support our customers directly. It's great to hear that the apprentices are enjoying their experience and we have receive good feedback on their performance and progression from line managers and mentors.

"Longer term, we expect them to take up various operational roles across our Claims function and we'll work with them over the course of the programme to identify the best opportunities. We see apprenticeships as key to our talent strategy."

Award-winning apprenticeship programme

A leading multinational general insurer, RSA has taken on apprentices for more than four years in its UK offices as part of a industry award-winning apprenticeship scheme. (In 2015 RSA was shortlisted for Insurance Times Awards--Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year and Beth McNeil won Apprentice of The Year).

RSA works with Kaplan, a leading provider of financial apprenticeships in the UK, to recruit and train apprentices.

Elizabeth Edwards from Kaplan says:

"From the creation of their apprenticeship programme, the whole team at RSA has fully embraced the idea of apprenticeships and has created a fantastic, valuable experience for their apprentices."

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