Zurich decides to grow its own
David Smith
Zurich Financial Services (Zurich) is growing its own staff of tomorrow by offering financial assistance to school leavers who combine relevant study with full or part-time work with the company.
Zurich has launched a cadet program to find “new blood” amid “growing concern in the financial services industry of a lack of new talent”.
Zurich’s cadet program will aim to source and develop the “next generation of potential employees”.
“There is a severe shortage of new talent entering the financial services industry,” said Zurich chief executive David Smith.
“This will continue to diminish as the baby boomers retire, leaving huge gaps in knowledge and experience.”
The program will provide financial assistance to school leavers looking to commence tertiary studies in a relevant field while gaining practical work experience at Zurich.
Successful candidates will undertake a four to six-year program with Zurich, working either part or full-time while studying.
The cadets will work in Zurich’s investment, life risk and general insurance business divisions.
Following a pilot with two cadets this year, Zurich has selected 11 final year high school students from the Sydney metropolitan area to join the cadetship program in 2009.
Selection to the program is based on academic achievement, enthusiasm, task management and integrity, among other factors.
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