Recruiting for the future
Technology is changing the required skillsets for the next generation of insurance professionals.
Join Claims magazine at the America’s Claims Executive Leadership Forum & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, from June 24-26 as we examine the technology and factors that are changing the insurance claims industry.
There is some good news for insurers looking to recruit new employees for their companies — the number of colleges and universities offering courses related to risk management and other areas of insurance is growing significantly. And, for seasoned pros looking to expand their knowledge, a number of schools now offer online courses so you can work and go to school on your own schedule.
The increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will change how insurance is purchased and expedite the claims process, but it will also require those working in the field to have a different skill set than their predecessors.
As insurers begin implementing new insurance technology in their companies, their employees are not updating their skill sets in tandem. At the PLRB conference in April, Maria Ho, the associate director for the Association for Talent Development, said that 46% of companies are employing the use of big data but only 16% of their employees are trained in how to access and use this information.
Ho highlighted four key areas where she sees the biggest skills gaps today:
- Communication and interpersonal skills (some generations prefer to communicate electronically rather than face-to-face)
- Critical thinking and problem solving (you can’t Google for everything)
- Managerial and supervisory (helps managers develop skills they need for the future)
- Collaboration skills (maximizes different areas of expertise)
“People leave because they don’t see opportunities,” explained Ho. She shared that some companies are creating a “week of learning” for their employees, using social media channels to encourage employees to learn new information within their companies and exchange insights on how they can work smarter and more collaboratively.
She stressed the value of preparing for the future of work through discussions that identify reskilling needs, develop employees’ future skills, and focus on attracting new talent while engaging and retaining current workers.
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