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My Year as an Apprentice in the Protection Industry

By Lottie Clements | Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

How I think the industry attract and retain more talent

When I began my apprenticeship with Cirencester Friendly last November, I had only a faint idea of what income protection or the wider protection sector was. Twelve months later, I’m both surprised and delighted to be in an industry that is far more welcoming, fascinating and varied than I imagined.

I really wasn’t sure how someone of my age (I’m 23) would fit into this world. While it’s true that more than a quarter of those working in the UK insurance sector are over 50¹ ,it is more diverse than I thought. However, there is still much that could change and here’s how I think it could attract and make the industry available to more people.

Industry events – a window to our world

One of the unexpected highlights of my year has been attending industry events. I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in two so far, with more to come, each one has offered a unique glimpse into how the sector comes together.

As an apprentice, it can be overwhelming to walk into a room full of experienced professionals. However, the atmosphere at both events was open, friendly and welcoming. In general, everyone comes across as enthusiastic, eager to share knowledge and happy to welcome new faces.

What I’ve discovered is that this is a people industry and the events are a great representation of that. I think organisations sending a wider array of attendees, encourages participation and brings new recruits along to kickstart their journey in protection. This will help them to feel part of this work and build their own network.

I have also had the opportunity to represent the Society at an Adviser facing event which provided me with an insight into how advisers network and how brands are promoted.

Discarding the stereotypes

Before joining the protection industry, I imagined it might be quite rigid or formal. My experience has proven the opposite. The sector is open to change, fast-moving and far more relevant to everyday life than many people my age realise.

There’s real variety—from marketing products to speaking directly with advisers, supporting operational processes, and helping customers. Each day brings something different. I’ve seen an industry keen to embrace new technology and a desire to help more people.

I like the fact that there is a purpose to what we do and the cover we offer has prevented many from falling into financial hardship through illness or injury. I’m excited to continue developing my career in a space that feels both meaningful and full of opportunity, which is what so many of my friends are looking for. To let them know this is what’s on offer, the industry must get bolder about sharing these positives where young people will see them.

Greater visibility key to attracting fresh talent

This leads nicely on to my next point; the industry needs to get noisy. Those looking for apprenticeships (me included) don’t know about the sector or the opportunities it offers. I stumbled across this role!

Education is key—especially at colleges and universities. Young people are rarely taught about the importance of protecting their earnings unless they’re in the process of buying a home. There is so much room for earlier conversations about how to build financial resilience from a young age. Raising awareness could open the door to a new generation of talent engaging more with their finances and awakening an interest in working in the sector.

Learning the business one department at a time My apprenticeship has given me a broad foundation across several areas of the business. In marketing alone, I’ve been involved in copywriting, working with designers, creating reports and posting on social media.

But it’s not stopped there. I’ve worked in various areas including Adviser Services and Sales too. Answering calls, responding to emails and handling general administration has given me a firm idea of how the business works, what advisers need and what customers want. From my own experience, I can see how beneficial this is, and I think widening this approach to those recruits outside apprenticeships could really help with retention, showing just how many career paths are open and the opportunities available in the industry.

The value of a buddy

When I first joined the industry, it felt like learning an entirely new language. I was lucky enough to have a dedicated buddy who guided me, answered questions and trained me on products. This one-to-one support made a huge difference, turning what could have been an intimidating experience into a smooth and encouraging transition.

I strongly believe having a buddy could really help all new recruits into our industry which is filled with acronyms and specific terms. It not only supports new starters but also helps them understand the “why” behind what the industry does and what their colleagues are saying, removing the fear of asking.

My year as an apprentice has been eye-opening and rewarding. As I move further into my apprenticeship, I’m excited to learn more and take on fresh challenges. I wanted to share my experience to prompt change so that more people, especially those seeking an apprenticeship, realise what this sector has to offer and how amazing it is to be a part of!