Training opportunities

The surety industry is fortunate in that there are a wealth of specialized training opportunities available to support our growing workforce. At Tinubu, for instance, we recently deployed a six-week online curriculum with FIA Surety. The program focused on critical business areas including:

Surety Bonds 101
Commercial and Miscellaneous Surety Bonds
Performance and Payment Bonds
Understanding Financial Statements
WIP Schedules
Bonding Solutions and Advanced Financial Statements

We've also benefited from NASBP's generous course offerings. They have a variety of continuing education programs, available both online or in person to surety professionals through its "Surety School" program. There are courses available on different topics like ethics, contracts, construction, and more. Some are in-depth for those who need a comprehensive educational program while others build upon prior learnings with continuing education.

The versatility of both online and in-person learning are helpful when it comes to a dispersed workforce. In the NASBP State of the Industry survey, 42% of respondents highlighted fostering knowledge transfer among staff in a hybrid or remote work environment as a top challenge for surety companies. Many surety firms are responding to this issue by expanding trainee programs, which were perceived to have lagged in recent years. By connecting surety professionals with online or in-person learning opportunities, they'll have access to supportive tools whether they work in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid environment.

Comprehensive employee development programs are instrumental in maintaining engagement, nurturing internal talent pipelines, and retaining top-tier professionals. By investing in employee development, our industry can signal a strong commitment to individual growth and professional advancement. This not only attracts high-quality candidates but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where employees are encouraged to seek growth opportunities within any organization.

Continuing education and training opportunities in surety will lay the groundwork for an informed, talented and engaged workforce for decades to come. By refining recruitment and retention strategies to support the next wave of underwriters, the industry is gearing up for a promising future. This commitment sends a powerful message to current and prospective talent, assuring them that their growth and success remain central to the industry's mission.

Bryce Christensen is the vice president of Surety Sales, Americas for Tinubu, a global software company providing an end-to-end platform for insurers, brokers, agents and their customers.

These opinions are the author's own.

Also by Bryce Christensen: A digitized future for surety: Efficiency, accuracy and trust

Special Reports /

The vital role of training and development in the surety industry

Related Stories

Recommended For You