CII teams up with training provider to help plug data skills gap

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has partnered with specialist insurance innovation training provider EDII to help plug the data skills gap in insurance.

The partnership aims to promote EDII’s Digital Minds programme, which will help both individual CII members and companies “embrace the curiosity, critical thinking, data appreciation and problem-solving skills”.

Speaking to Insurance Times, Caroline Bedford, chief executive of EDII, explained that in the early 80s and 90s, data skills sat within the IT team and “there was no cross over” into the business.

However, she felt that innovation had become ”more mainstream” as there is now a need for digital skills within the industry due to the rise of technology.

“One of the reasons I created EDII is because I [remember] one of the London market initiatives calling for under 35s and I thought ‘hang on, I have to create my own club,’” Bedford said.

“We created Digital Minds for wherever individuals sit within the insurance industry – if you want to be part of the future, lets teach skills to combine technology and thought processes. That is how Digital Minds [works].”

Map

The Digital Minds programme consists of a series of segmented modules giving professionals future-focused innovation skills.

It is delivered through a combination of traditional learning, experiential modules, industry-expert insights and collaborative activities and projects.

It is also the first programme of its kind to be aligned to the CII’s Professional Map, which allows practitioners to map their existing competencies, identify any skills gaps, future pathways and relevant learning opportunities. 

Vanessa Riboloni, professional capabilities and insight manager at the CII, said: “The CII’s Professional Map is the international benchmark for excellence in the insurance and personal finance professions for both individuals and companies.

“To help bring the map alive, and help our members access high quality programmes, we are delighted to be partnering with EDII, whose innovation-focused education aligns directly with our framework and the needs of our members.”