Zurich mulling ‘biggest’ ever US apprenticeship hiring plan in ‘fierce’ market

Zurich Insurance Group has unvieled its “biggest yet” apprenticeship hiring plan in the US as it looks to redouble its efforts to compete for talent in a “fierce” market.

The insurer plans to hire a record number of apprentices in 2022, with approximately 70 roles across claims, underwriting, sales, IT, crop insurance, cyber and other functions in nine cities across the US - Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Overland Park (Kansas), Philadelphia, San Francisco and Schaumburg (Illinois), as well as in certain agricultural areas where Zurich's crop insurance business operates.

Kristof Terryn (pictured), chief executive officer of Zurich North America, confirmed that the expansion of Zurich Apprenticeship Programme will more than double in size in 2022 - its “biggest yet”.

The opportunities will be posted in the first quarter of 2022, and the hires will begin the programme in August 2022.

The apprentices will receive a full-time salary and full benefits and are “guaranteed” a position and promotion with Zurich when they successfully complete their apprenticeship.

Zurich said it is redoubling its efforts to reach diverse talent pools.

“It's no secret that there's fierce competition for talent right now, but that's not the reason we're expanding,” said Terryn. “We're growing the Zurich Apprenticeship Programme because apprentices have brought value to our business from the very beginning.

“This is a talent source that has proven its value and versatility through many different market conditions, including at the height of the pandemic, when we expanded our programme from our suburban Schaumburg headquarters to New York City.”

Al Crook, head of HR business partners and apprenticeship at Zurich North America, added: “The benefits of our programme are multi-fold. Not only does it help close skills gaps in our industry, but we are also able to broaden our talent pool to contribute to progress on diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging in our business and our industry.”

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