More than a third of insurance professionals have received training around mental health, as 28% view this as a key theme within their job roles now
A quarter (25%) of insurance professionals believe they need more technology and digital skills in order to perform in today’s Covid-driven ‘new normal’ of remote working, according to research by professional services firm KPMG and independent body the Financial Services Skills Commission.
The survey of 632 financial services staff revealed that insurance professionals think the demands of their job roles have changed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Around two-fifths (20%) now rely on different leadership and management skills, while 28% have a new reliance on understanding the mental health of both colleagues and customers.
As a result of this, 18% of insurance employees said they would need more training, but only 20% of insurance staff said they had been offered digital training, while just 13% had been supplied training on different leadership techniques.
On the flip side, 37% of insurance professionals have been offered guidance or training around mental health and 32% have been offered cyber training – this compares to 23% of staff who work in banking.
Around 12% of financial services professionals said their employer has not done anything to equip them for the changing circumstances brought about by the pandemic.
The insurance sector has retained its sociable mentality, however. More than a third (36%) of insurance employees have been offered the opportunity to engage socially with their teams during the pandemic, versus 29% of banking staff.
Commenting on the findings, Claire Tunley, chief executive at the Financial Skills Commission, said: “The last few months has brought the skills challenges facing the UK financial services sector into greater focus.
“As we have experienced a huge leap forwards in digitisation and remote working, the need to upskill our employees in digital and technological expertise is more important than ever.
“Increased investment in our employees’ future skills, alongside a sophisticated remote and flexible working offer, will help the UK financial services firms address the skills crisis the sector has been facing, attract talent and position it for a successful future.”
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