George Tsounias offers some tips on how to get involved in inspiring the next generation of professionals
In recent months, there has been a marked increase in the number of requests we have been receiving from members as they start to get invited to attend a careers fair, presentation or deliver a Discover Risk workshop.
We understand that making those school connections can often be time consuming and require a certain degree of patience, so it is great to see so many members getting in touch about the scheduled activities that they have planned.
Schools are really keen to hear from local professionals because the careers strategy is very high on the agenda, as they have to provide students with opportunities to explore the wider working world.
We are often asked about the best way to engage with a local school. Here are some pointers:
- Check for any existing school contacts through family or friends.
- Spend some time on the school website and try to identify any upcoming careers fairs or find the careers lead at the school.
- In the absence of a careers lead, find the contact details of the head of sixth form or assistant head.
Do you have a school event coming up? Contact us via volunteer@cii.co.uk to request resources.
George Tsounias is relationship manager of education at the CII
Note: Should you wish to contact a school independently, please contact us so we can provide relevant information to help you.
THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
This month, the CII caught up with Anne Hudson, careers officer from the Insurance Institute of Newcastle upon Tyne, to hear about the great work they have been doing so far this year. "Combining Discover Risk with careers produced a major step forward in the north east,"
she said.
"I have worked with the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NE LEP) and Newcastle City Council (NCC) to promote careers in insurance. This involved presentations to school careers ambassadors and distribution of CII literature. As a result, many bookings have been made for Discover Risk sessions within schools. Schools are now asking for speakers for their careers days for pupils and parents.
"Working with CII relationship managers, opportunities for sessions within colleges and universities have been planned. "In addition, I am working with Northumbria University to quantify and qualify training opportunities for insurance jobs and work placements in the north east -- for both experienced staff and students."
If, like Ms Hudson, you would like to share news about your activities as a local institute and share some of your successes, please get in touch.