Before applying to this apprenticeship, please check that you meet all entry requirements. 

Each apprentice will be employed directly by an insurance company, and will therefore be required to meet the particular employer’s specific recruitment criteria.

Certain additional requirements must also be met for admission to the proposed apprenticeship programme:

Irish Leaving Certificate Requirements - Honours Degree/Level 8

Prior to 2017

• A minimum of 4 grade Ds at Ordinary Level and 2 Grade C3 at Higher Level.
• Leaving Certificate subjects must include Mathematics and English or Irish.
• An E grade in Higher Level Mathematics, and a B2 in Foundation Mathematics is a minimum entry requirement.
• A minimum of 140 points is required for entry to all Level 8 courses.

2017 onwards

• A minimum of 4 O6/H7 grades and 2 H5 grades in Leaving Certificate subjects.
• Leaving Certificate subjects must include Mathematics and English or Irish.
• With English or Irish with O6/H7 and Mathematics with F2/O6/H7.
• A minimum of 140 points is required for entry to all Level 8 courses.

QQI Awards Entry

• The minimum entry requirements for graduates of QQI (Level 5 or 6) awards to an Honours Degree Course (NFQ Level 8) is a full cognate QQI (Level 5 or 6) award to include distinction grades in at least three components.
• For entry to the majority of courses a full award may be accumulated over more than one academic year. In such cases it is the responsibility of the applicant to apply to QQI for a full award. However, for entry to certain courses an award achieved in a single sitting may be required.
• All QQI awards are part of the Common Awards System, or CAS, from 2014. A full QQI Level 5 or 6 major award will have a minimum credit value of 120. Component awards, or achievement of less than 120 credits, do not constitute a full award.
• Some applicants will combine components achieved prior to the introduction of CAS with others which are part of CAS. Level 5 and 6 (NCVA) Certificates, i.e. major awards, achieved before the introduction of CAS are also scored according to the system outlined above.
• All QQI Level 5 and Level 6 awards will be scored using the best 120 credits to deliver a maximum of 400 points regardless of whether they were achieved before or after the introduction of CAS.

Mature Students

• Mature applicants (defined as those who are over 23 on 1 January of the year of entry) do not require the above minimum entry requirements and acceptance will be based on experiential learning, commitment to course objectives and an interview.

Full details of entry requirements from iii.ie can be found here.

The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship is an ‘earn and learn’ degree programme that combines on-the-job training with academic study. 

Apprentices undertake insurance qualifications, delivered by The Insurance Institute, as well as business and accounting modules from ATU Sligo campus (IT Sligo).

Apprentices will earn a BA (Hons) Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship – Level 8 NFQ.


Off/On the Job Phases: The structure of the off-the-job programme involves six 15-week semesters, each consisting of three modules. This is combined with on-the-job learning delivered through full-time employment with an insurance company. 

Off-the-job learning delivery will be a blend of online lectures, online discussion/engagement and face to face teaching with provision for group sessions per semester. Typically this will result in one day a week study-release for the apprentice.

As semesters are 15 weeks apiece, the apprentice will have fewer study hours during the summer period and will have more time to learn practically on-the-job.

Training is run by the following college:

• ATU Atlantic Technical University- Sligo campus (IT Sligo) 

• Personable and sociable
• Professional dress
• Competitive
• Socially confident
• Self-motivated with desire to perform at a high level
• Customer service oriented

• High standards of ethics and integrity
• Ambitious and results orientated
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment.

• You’ll specialise in one of the core industry areas – underwriting, claims or direct client advice.

Learn more about these areas here

• You’ll learn about the business by completing projects and case studies.
• You’ll study through a blend of online lectures, discussions and face-to-face group sessions – all during working hours.
• A mentor and supervisor will help you along the way.
• You’ll earn a salary and your academic training is government funded*.

Once apprentices complete the programme, they will be compliant to work in general insurance. With a professional qualification and honours degree under their belts, there is no limit to where their careers can go. 

 

Note: People in employment have a number of options for both Educational and Career Progression. It might also be possible to gain promotion within your existing company.  By using your existing qualifications and your experience you might to able to secure an alternative position in a more senior role in another company. It may also be possible to set up your own company based again on your existing qualifications and experience.  Whatever route you decide to take remember education is a lifelong pursuit and you can always continue to up skill and/or retrain, whatever your age.  Links to some educational and enterprise supports can be found below

Career Progression Useful Links & Educational Supports:  

On completion of an apprenticeship your educational progression options may be offered as full awards on the NFQ levels 7-10 National Framework. You may also decide to embark on a partial award or to up skill in a particular area by undertaking a short specialised course.  

Depending on your skills, knowledge and experience some of the opportunities below might be appropriate to help develop your Career pathway:  

• Springboard & conversion courses  
• Skillnet Sector learning network courses
• Your Local (ETB) Education & Training Board
• Further education training centres Fetchcourses
• Post graduate education Search Post Graduate options

Check out firms currently hiring apprentices here

To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal. You can search for vacancies by location, and employers in each apprenticeship.

Use this link to explore a list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship type.

Register Your Interest

This apprenticeship is managed by The Insurance Institute. If you are interested in an Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship you should make contact with The Insurance Institute via the contact details below.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Insurance Institute's Website.

Further information is also available from the industry lead for this apprenticeship:

Finding an employer and securing your apprenticeship

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

Opportunities for this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations:

• Financial Services - A Career Less Ordinary
• The Insurance Institute

Online Jobsites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn. The employer pays you a salary while you are being trained on-the-job and off-the-job. The rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer