Brokers concerned at struggle to attract young talent

80% of brokers want to attract younger talent.

This is according to research commissioned by Ecclesiastical, which also found that more than half of firms (52%) find it a challenge to recruit those aged 30 and younger.

Nearly half of the 250 brokers surveyed by FWD last month (46%) are concerned about a potential talent crisis in the industry.

The main reasons given for why firms are struggling to attract young talent was because young people don’t have the right experience, they don’t have the right skills or qualifications and not enough young people are applying for available jobs.

The data was backed up by Ecclesiastical’s own conversations with young brokers, who suggested young people don’t see broking as an exciting career choice.

Oliver Drummond, 26, from BHIB Insurance Brokers commented: “When you’re at a party and say you work in insurance, everyone switches off. But that’s a perception, most people don’t understand what an insurance broker does.”

The young professionals also believed there is a huge lack of awareness about what brokers do and this is preventing young people from choosing broking as a career choice.

Stef Boughey, 25, from Towergate Insurance said: “I would not have been aware of broking unless a recruiter had called me. When I visited careers fairs I remember seeing companies such as Jaguar, DANONE, Proctor & Gamble and Deloitte, whereas I never remember seeing insurance companies at careers fairs.” She added: “You can’t attract people unless they know about it.”

Those surveyed said that in order to attract more young brokers the industry should educate young people at school/college about insurance (33%) and do more with the media to change the image of the industry (21%).

Commercial director at Ecclesiastical, Adrian Saunders, said: “A day in the life of a young broker is far more varied than people might expect. We spoke to a number of young professionals who said every day is different and presents new challenges – from talking to clients and insurers, managing claims through to setting up webinars and taking part in hackathons.

“The industry needs to evolve and adapt to technological advances and competition from disruptors and younger people have the skills to do this. Tech savvy young talent can bring fresh ideas and new ways of thinking, so it’s vital that we do more to promote the diverse and exciting career opportunities available to young people in the insurance industry.”