INSETA bursaries are helping long-term insurer AVBOB counter the scarcity of management skills in the insurance industry, thanks to the successful completion of a management development programme by 20 junior managers and leaders from the firm.
Not only did all 20 pass the tough 12-month course, but barely a month after its completion, 19 had already been promoted thanks to the management skills gained during the development course, says AVBOB skills development facilitator Harriet Beukes.
“Although the employees were already in supervisory positions before starting the management programme, the programme has provided them with essential skills to enhance their performance. Our feedback from their line managers is that the graduates are now infinitely more hands-on. It is a huge improvement,” she said.
At the graduation ceremony, headed by AVBOB CEO Frik Rademan, the Best Student award went to Fay Ally. Beukes said that management applauded the learners for completing the programme successfully. “There were many sleepless nights and many sacrifices made in order to complete assignments on time. Our congratulations go to each and every one of them and their families for supporting them all through this developmental process.”
INSETA Office Specialist – Bongani Mtombeni (left) and AVBOB CEO – Frik Rademan (right) at the graduation ceremony
“The INSETA financial support comes as part of our focus on workplace development of managers in the insurance industry, which is a high priority in the industry due to the acute shortage of appropriate managerial skills. INSETA supports the sector through the provision of bursaries for high-potential individuals,” says Sandra Dunn, INSETA’s CEO
The AVBOB group graduated at the end of May after a gruelling 12-month programme. Although the course was “only” equivalent to NQF level 4, Beukes commented that the participants initially underestimated the commitment that was required to complete and consequently had to burn the proverbial midnightoil. Participants had to attend three full classroom days per month and hand in assignments for all modules while juggling normal workloads.
The attendees are currently employed in a variety of positions ranging from administration to Information Technology; Internal Audit; Accountancy; and Recruitment. In order not to infringe too much on the normal duties and work schedules of the learners, additional after-hour portfolio building sessions had to be held. “The learners arranged these work sessions themselves when and where they were required,” Beukes says.
Ecstatic graduates at the ceremony.
Course subjects included Business and Relationship Management, Business Writing Skills, Customer Service, Quality Management and Control, Human Resource Management, Business Finance, Business Strategy, HIV and Aids in the workplace and Negotiations and Presentation Skills.
The attendees concluded the programme with a final presentation and panel interview attended by the Sims Khula panel of lecturers and the learners’ respective managers.
AVBOB are planning a further management development programme for January next year.
Dunn says that she is very pleased to see that the bursaries are being put to good use in the workplace.
INSETA’s purpose is to grow the pool and quality of scarce and critical skills in the insurance sector, enhancing the sector and supporting the country’s transformation.