London, August 20, 2014 – – Aon plc (NYSE:AON), the leading global provider of risk management and human resources solutions, today issued the following statements regarding the UK government’s announcement of the Trailblazer insurance apprentice programme.
Dominic Christian, CEO of Aon UK Limited, said: “We are proud to have been instrumental in the development of the new apprenticeship standard for the risk management and insurance industry in the UK and we welcome its publication today by the Government. I would like to thank colleagues across the sector who contributed to the development of this new apprenticeship standard which offers a real alternative to university to build a strong career in our industry.
“Developing a staff of unmatched talent is one of the cornerstones of our business strategy and we recognise there are multiple pathways to a successful and rewarding career. An apprenticeship is one such option and our own programme empowers young people from all backgrounds with the opportunity to gain a valuable qualification and experience of work. Aon’s apprenticeship scheme will have grown from an initial 11 apprentice recruits in 2012 to 50 by the end of 2014. Almost all of our former apprentices remain colleagues at Aon, including Daniel Kinlan, who won the 2014 Broker Apprentice of the Year. As someone who entered our sector at a young age myself, it’s hugely important to me that Aon places such an emphasis on apprentices.”
Nick Boles MP, Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise, said: “I’m delighted that the insurance sector, led by Aon, has developed a new apprenticeship standard for insurance practitioners.”
Julie Hyett, Early Careers Programme Manager at Aon, said: “We are pleased with today’s announcement having inputted directly into government policy on our Trailblazer work. Aon is also working with our professional bodies and other leading employers, as well as consulting with the wider industry, to design and implement the new apprenticeships. As the new Standard has now been approved by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills we look forward to adopting it for the new Aon Apprenticeship intake.”
About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 66,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative and effective risk and people solutions and through industry-leading global resources and technical expertise. Aon has been named repeatedly as the world’s best broker, best insurance intermediary, best reinsurance intermediary, best captives manager, and best employee benefits consulting firm by multiple industry sources. Visit aon.com for more information on Aon and aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon’s global partnership with Manchester United.