16 Trainees commence first Zurich Insurance plc and Waterford Wexford Training Services Traineeship

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A unique Insurance Traineeship Programme for the Wexford area, aimed at offering those in long-term unemployment the opportunity to secure training and job placement with Zurich Insurance, has welcomed its first 16 participants. The one-year traineeship is being delivered by Waterford Wexford Training Services and Zurich Insurance in Wexford.

Pictured at the Waterford Wexford Training Centre are the 16 learners partaking in the brand new WWTS and Zurich Insurance traineeship with (L-R seated) John Noonan Hartley People; Sandra Harvey Graham The Insurance Institute of Ireland; John Cassidy Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board; Elaine Hayes Zurich Insurance; Kathryn Bermingham Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board – Photograph Leo Murphy.
Pictured at the Waterford Wexford Training Centre are the 16 learners partaking in the brand new WWTS and Zurich Insurance traineeship with (L-R seated) John Noonan Hartley People; Sandra Harvey Graham The Insurance Institute of Ireland; John Cassidy Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board; Elaine Hayes Zurich Insurance; Kathryn Bermingham Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board – Photograph Leo Murphy.

The 16 learners have all secured a place on the traineeship following an application process which commenced in June 2015 when the programme was announced for the first time. They now begin the first stage of their training with Hartley People at the Wexford Training Centre for a period of nine weeks; where they will gain skills in word processing and customer service. Following this training period they will begin an on-the-job placement at Zurich’s Drinagh office where they will gain first hand experience in Zurich’s various business areas.

The year-long training programme focusses on developing the learners’ core skills including business administration, finance and banking, team working, Information Technology, and manual and computeried accounts. All of the course modules are delivered through a classroom style training environment combined with on-the-job work experience.

The Traineeship was jointly developed by Zurich, Waterford Wexford Training Services (WWTS) and the Insurance Institute of Ireland (III). The learners will work towards achieving their Professional Certificate in General Insurance in conjunction with the completion of a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Level 5 Business Administration Certificate to support the development of their business skills.

Welcoming the learner group to the Wexford Training Centre, Eilis Leddy, Chief Executive of Waterford Wexford Education and Training Board said, “We are delighted to welcome the trainees to this brand new WWTS and Zurich Insurance Traineeship. This training programme for the Insurance industry is the first of its kind for this particular business sector. This is a course delivery style which we have successfully delivered in other business sectors meeting the employment and training needs of the various business sectors and offering a unique opportunity to those in long-term unemployment to gain not only the theory of the industry but also first hand knowledge of the role and best placing them on the career ladder for potential future employement within the sector.”

Welcoming the trainees to the course, CEO of Zurich in Ireland Conor Brennan said, “”The start of the programme marks the beginning of a very exciting journey: not just for the individuals concerned, but also for the organisations that have worked so hard to bring it to fruition.   I’m proud of Zurich’s reputation for supporting local communities, and especially our focus on helping those in long-term unemployment build the skills that will support them in establishing themselves in the workplace.  We are excited to welcome the 16 new learners to our centre in Drinagh and to working closely with our partners to give them the skills and experience essential to a successful future, hopefully in the insurance industry.”

Waterford Wexford Training Services delivers training courses and education services across the South East. The provision of training by Waterford Wexford Training Services is carried out through its two training centres and by a network of second providers including community providers.

For further information on this Traineeship Programme and training courses delivered by WWTS visit www.wwetbtraining.ie.