INSURANCE
Ladder – Lee Elgie says Gallagher ’ s apprenticeship and graduate schemes help to give young people the skills and experience they need for a career in the insurance industry .
SURE STARTERS
How insurance and risk management specialist Gallagher is helping talented young recruits launch their careers
Recruit – Stephen Georgiou-Thompson recently completed his apprenticeship programme with Gallagher ’ s North-East team .
Insurance broker and risk management company Gallagher has offices up and down the UK , including the North-East , where it works with a large number of regional businesses . In addition to assisting businesses , Gallagher is committed to helping young people start their careers .
Lee Elgie , managing director of Gallagher ’ s Stockton-on-Tees office – formerly known as Erimus – tells us why apprenticeships are an integral part of the business ’ s future ...
Businesses in the UK are increasingly considering how they can appeal to a wider talent pool and making their sectors more accessible to young people . The insurance industry is no different , and Gallagher is actively investing in talent of the future through our apprentice and graduate schemes .
Employers should be investing in their existing and prospective workforce in order to future-proof their businesses , as failure to do so will result in them lagging behind in whichever industry they operate .
The majority of companies are looking to deliver on the evolving demands of customers and revamp their products to appeal to wider audiences . However , this will prove tricky over time if they do not have the right skills and talent to be the driving force behind this ambition .
Therefore , apprenticeships and graduate schemes should feature high on the agenda for all employers , as they are proven ways of recruiting fresh talent , narrowing the skills gap and bolstering teams .
In the North-East specifically , the number of people starting their apprenticeships increased by 14 per cent during 2022 . This is good news for the region and its young people who are hoping to enter the workforce .
Gallagher ’ s apprenticeship and graduate schemes help to give young people the skills and experience they need to start their careers .
These schemes offer the opportunity to learn on the job by receiving training and gaining formal qualifications that can enhance career prospects .
In our Stockton office , we have welcomed five apprentices into our business with the aim of keeping them on as long-term employees .
Looking ahead , we intend to welcome more apprentices and graduates into our offices as a way of growing our team so we can provide even more value to our clients .
The next generation of professionals will drive forward all industries , not just ours , and Gallagher is committed to providing young professionals with the opportunity to shape the future of insurance and broking .
Gallagher is a global brand with a local focus and the size and scale of our business benefits both our clients and the regions where we are present .
As we look towards the future of Gallagher in the North-East , we will be building on our existing commitment to the region by supporting its businesses and people .
The story of a Gallagher apprentice
Stephen Georgiou-Thompson recently completed his apprenticeship programme with Gallagher ’ s North-East team . After 18 months , Stephen decided to stay with us and is now a commercial broker . This is what Stephen has to say about his experience ...
“ I decided to go into insurance as it was an industry I didn ’ t know much about and it seemed interesting . I saw there was an opportunity to learn and develop . Gallagher ’ s Fast Forward programme has allowed me to develop my skills and my career overall . It ’ s also helped boost my confidence .
“ Doing an apprenticeship with Gallagher has allowed me to work and study , which was invaluable . I would definitely recommend others to complete an apprenticeship . It ’ s been a brilliant 18 months and I look forward to continuing to work in the industry and with my colleagues .”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 135