I found out about the apprenticeship through a government website. Even though I had already started at university, the experience wasn’t for me; so I left and set out to look for an alternative. I found the apprenticeship to be the career experience I was looking for, one that could advance my skills and qualifications.

I have learned about insurance through shadowing colleagues, various training courses and my certification exams. Additionally, having never worked in an office before, I learned day-to-day office skills such as how to use company systems and office communications. My responsibilities as an apprentice change frequently as I gain more experience and knowledge. I have progressed to where I am now involved in renewals, processing and servicing clients.

The highlights so far have been building relationships with my colleagues/underwriters and gaining knowledge that helped me pass my exams. I also enjoy seeing new apprentices coming into the programme and being able to answer their questions and help them feel comfortable.

In the future, I would like to gain more responsibility in my role and one day be able to move into a management position.

Having some previous work experience would be an advantage. I would also say to anyone exploring this route: Don’t rule out university too quickly and don’t rule out the apprenticeship too easily. Explore all your options and try to avoid tunnel vision.

I found the process to be quite smooth with very few surprises. The assessment centre had a relaxed atmosphere, and I was given very constructive feedback following my interview.

My first year as an apprentice has been all about developing a knowledge base for the work I do day-to-day. I’ve been given responsibility to complete regular tasks and take ownership for the quality of my work. As my apprenticeship progresses, I’ve been given the opportunity to help train new apprentices in some fundamentals of actuarial work, including the use of Excel, as well as provide peer support to three recent graduates. I’ve been able to help them learn how our team works and answer any questions they may have.

I’ve received great training provided by Willis Towers Watson that has helped me pass two professional exams that are essential to gaining an actuarial qualification.
I’ve also learned that teamwork is the most important part of working within an office — in order to deliver quality work for our clients and also enjoy ourselves in the process.

I have learnt that beyond being good at the technical math work, the most important part of my work is the relationships I have built up with my colleagues. By having a tight group of friends, both apprentices and other colleagues, I have been able to enjoy my apprenticeship fully, as well as being encouraged by others to strive in my role.

I’ve appreciated the opportunity to help train new apprentices and go to local careers fairs to promote the Willis Towers Watson apprenticeship programme. I’ve enjoyed meeting college students to discuss their career goals and the possibility of the apprenticeship as an alternative to university.

I felt very proud and extremely grateful to those who nominated me. It was actually quite a surprise because I did not know I had been nominated. I think it shows how committed Willis Towers Watson are to ensure their apprentices achieve greatness.

Two of the values that have impacted me most are Teamwork and Client focus. Willis Towers Watson have fostered an environment where both values constantly feed into each other. I have been part of many teams including a team of apprentices and graduates to complete a high profile project which involved many complicated calculations. Had our team not put in the extra work together we could not have met our deadline, it was a very satisfying and rewarding feeling to collectively complete a difficult task. In terms of client focus, I have been part of a team who have successfully completed projects that generate £100,000s in revenues, and in some cases been able to project manage a team to reach some of these goals.

I have been given the opportunity on multiple occasions to help set-up and host a team quiz for over 50 colleagues during lockdown. To enter these quizzes colleagues had to donate to our charity partner, the Alzheimer’s Society, and a local charity, Stripey Stork. Overall, we raised around £5,000!  I am very proud to have done this as naturally colleagues were having a tough time due to COVID-19 and by hosting these events I was hopefully able to make a big impact to team moral.

I think that the biggest challenge was that for the first year, the work we were doing was the same difficulty of work as graduates coming out of university. The structure of the apprenticeship programme and our manager were clear in that we were not expected to be at the same level as the graduates, but gave us room to grow and perform at a level above what was expected. This freedom to excel was a perfect environment for myself and I feel that the apprenticeship fostered my growth very well.

During my apprenticeship, I have been able to go to multiple client meetings and also be the lead on a wide variety of projects. I have been able to use my skills in maths within my career to achieve great results for our clients and for the organisation. By achieving this during my apprenticeship, Willis Towers Watson have recognised this and allowed me to start studying for the actuary exams, with the view to becoming a qualified actuary.

I would say that my apprenticeship has allowed me to make a significant impact within my department within a very short space of time. Following the completion of my apprenticeship, I have been promoted to an actuarial consultant. I am now one year ahead in my career than I would have been if I had entered as a graduate from university, with the bonus of 2 years extra experience. This shows that the apprenticeship, if the person has the right level of commitment, can open the same doors as going to university, and Willis Towers Watson are keen to remove whatever barriers may face apprentices in their career

I would suggest to anyone applying to an apprenticeship at Willis Towers Watson to be proactive; research the company, it will impress the evaluators and make you stand out.

I’m a major accounts bid manager in the team that helps GB retailers manage risks to their businesses and develop mitigation strategies, including the purchase of appropriate insurance coverage. In this role, I serve as the project lead and coordinator for our Technical and Account Management teams, with particular responsibility for ensuring that our bids for retailers’ business, both technical and commercial, meet both the client needs and proposal requests as well as our own financial objectives. My role also includes organization and management of annual reviews for key clients, including assessment of business strategies and outlook, and assisting in the transition and implementation of projects won.

Once we receive a request for proposal (RFP), I have to make sure that delivery of our services proceeds according to what was promised during the initial bidding process. My key challenges involve getting the right people involved in the proposal and overseeing the RFP so it’s submitted on time and according to the client’s needs.

I had the opportunity to manage a major proposal involving multinational support from our offices in Paris, the U.S., and our Natural Resources specialty team in London. This project exemplified Willis Towers Watson’s approach to working as one team to offer the best possible value to a client.

I originally worked as a bid manager in Paris. Being involved in cross-country projects has allowed me to visit other offices and eventually transfer to a different business unit that required relocation to the UK.

I had invested a high level of involvement and quality into my role in Paris, so being recommended internally by upper management to transfer to the London office showed me that the company supports my personal goals.

The culture is very much client-focused, with colleagues eager to differentiate our company from our competitors. I also feel that inclusion and diversity is a true part of the company’s culture, evident on a day-to-day basis.

I like the level of goodwill shown by all colleagues within the organisation as well as the recognition received for bringing added value to the team and contributing toward the growth of the business.

I was surprised by how close-knit colleagues are considering how large the organisation is, particularly in their ability to work together to achieve mutual goals of growth and success — and the fantastic view from the 15th floor of the Willis Towers Watson Lime Street building in London!

I hope to reach a management-level position within the organisation or a role in which we could further develop the relationship between GB and France. Specialising in a field such as the reinsurance market or an industry such as natural resources might also be of interest. The choice is endless here!

Within the past three years, the merger of Willis and Towers Watson has brought tremendous transformation and offered good opportunities for talented individuals who are looking for a dynamic and challenging environment. I joined the Paris-based insurance broker, Gras Savoye, now a Willis Towers Watson company, prior to the merger. I recently transferred to the London office knowing that there’d be opportunities to evolve within this fully-integrated organisation.

As a graduate, I mainly focused on assisting the Europe Middle East and Africa, West/South (EMEA W/S) Catastrophe (CAT) Analytics team in Mumbai and across Willis Towers Watson to pan global locations.

I learnt plenty of important things, however I would highlight three:

• Any problem can be solved by thinking outside of the box
• Teamwork gives flight to your ideas
• Communication is pivotal – if you thoroughly communicate with your manager and colleagues, you’ll find it easier to overcome challenges when they arise.

The Mumbai team would organize fun games on Friday afternoons for teams to play. However, if I had to pick one favorite memory, it would definitely be the Secret Santa game played during Christmas week for obvious reasons: gifts!

The value I liked the most is respect, which every colleague had for each other. I am also very proud of working in an organization where teamwork is a key value to achieve excellence.

Currently, I’m CAT Modeler based in Mumbai. As a student, I had little understanding of quantitative subjects. However, when I joined as a graduate, the supportive team and the structured program helped me overcome my fears and made me feel confident about my preparation and knowledge.

The training that I received at Willis Towers Watson gave me a real opportunity to know myself. I came to understand my strengths and improvement areas. The continuous mentoring and well-defined training program strengthened my confidence professionally and personally.

I would like to thank my colleagues from different teams across the globe, since they all were an important part of my journey. Every day I come across new colleagues that teach me something new. I would also like to specially thank my manager, Shivmala, my lead, Pritam, and my mentor, Sharmin who has been exceptionally patient with my numerous questions!

Close your eyes slightly, keep your mind wide open, feel the adrenaline in your body and take a plunge for a better, bigger and brighter future.

I joined Willis Towers Watson as a member of the first ever Corporate Risk and Broking Graduate program in 2016. This was my first real job out of college and also my introduction into the insurance industry.

As a graduate, I started out on the Metro New York (MNY) Construction Team and then moved into the Financial Institutions Team for eight months. Currently, I’m a Lead Associate Broker in the Transactional Solutions Team within Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A).

As a Lead Associate Broker, my primary responsibilities consist of assisting our private equity and strategic buyer clients in purchasing Representations & Warranties (R&W) insurance policies on a variety of M&A deals. I work closely with our Senior Brokers in every part of the transaction timeline, from pursuing new business opportunities, to placing those opportunities in the insurance marketplace.

Alongside my role within M&A, I am involved in a series of initiatives focused on our company’s Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) efforts, both inside and outside of the workplace. It is an incredibly rewarding feeling to be able to take my passion and advocacy for racial justice and equality and turn it into something tangible for our community. For example, I co-lead Willis Towers Watson’s MNY Multicultural Inclusion Network, which celebrates the cultural diversity of our company, and helps educate colleagues on differences in race, ethnicity, religion, language and culture.

Additionally, I am one of the national leaders of the Willis Towers Watson National African-American Insurance Association partnership, and I also co-lead the Retain & Develop workstream for Black, African-American and Latinx Talent.

Having a R&W insurance policy in place is a task that requires a great level of detail and that depends on the specifics of the private equity deal. This is why sometimes we have a very busy and tight schedule, however it’s always a great feeling when the deal closes and we know that we’ve delivered the best possible job for our client.

When I first started as a Willis Towers Watson graduate, I had no formal training in insurance and I was relatively unfamiliar with the responsibilities of an insurance broker. This is why I spent my first few months as a graduate getting to know and understand the insurance industry and learning the vocabulary and terminology that we use on a day-to-day basis. I also was able to get my Associate of Risk Management and Associate of General Insurance certifications through the program, which provided a lot of educational training on risk management.

One of my favorite things about the culture at Willis Towers Watson is our colleagues’ willingness to share their knowledge. Senior leaders are very approachable and happy to provide their insights and advice to more junior colleagues. I also like that the company’s culture is based on prioritizing and recognizing teamwork, which leaves no room for one-upmanship.

What I like the most about working at Willis Towers Watson is that we have all of the resources and opportunities that a global company has to offer while still having the close knit feel of a smaller organization where colleagues are encouraged to interact with everyone, including senior leadership.

One of the things that surprised me the most is our unwavering commitment to I&D, which makes everyone feel comfortable in bringing their true self to work. Also, I really like the fact that all colleagues have the opportunity to lead and take part in the company’s Inclusion Networks as well as to get involved in Willis Towers Watson’s global and regional I&D initiatives.

I’d like to continue making a positive and significant impact on Willis Towers Watson’s I&D initiatives in the future. Maintaining an inclusive workplace environment is beneficial for all of our colleagues and it also allows us to deliver the best possible solutions to our clients.

Just do it! The insurance industry has been a well-hidden gem in the world of financial services for a long time, but there are incredible opportunities for career development and growth for people of all educational, professional and personal backgrounds.

I am very proud of my career journey at Willis Towers Watson. I started off in 2016 with limited knowledge of administrative tools but thanks to my efforts and support from other colleagues, I am now in charge of assisting multiple senior leaders. I’m also very pleased with all the skills that I’ve learned within a short period of time. For example, after receiving training from another team, I quickly learned how to manage various administrative-focused software and internal tools to the point that I’m now responsible for upskilling other colleagues!

Working closely with senior leaders has empowered me to showcase my administrative skills – I’m considered the backbone of our operations for the Sales & Client Management Team. This, combined with the support of my manager, has enabled me to work on different types of projects and pick up additional responsibilities, such as managing post-training reports and feedback for our Sales & Client Management Team.

My proudest achievement so far is receiving the ‘Customer Delight Award’ and seeing my manager’s, Jenita Monteiro, feedback about my work which praised my teamwork skills, proactivity and positive spirit.

There are lot of positive things about working at Willis Towers Watson, but if I had to choose one it would be the recognition we receive for our hard work and efforts. Colleagues and leaders continuously show their appreciation for the work I do. This feels great and motivates me to continue developing my skillset and take on more exciting projects.

The company’s culture is supportive and flexible. We have great flexible work policies and benefits that have been highly appreciated during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns around the world. In addition, Willis Towers Watson is constantly putting its people’s wellbeing at the forefront: we have numerous company-led initiatives that focus on our colleagues’ physical and mental health, such as virtual yoga sessions and the ‘Employee Assistance Program for Mental & Emotional Wellbeing’. This program helped me enormously after I developed anxiety about being re-infected with Covid-19 and potentially losing a loved one.

In my opinion, Willis Towers Watson is the best to company to grow with. Whether that’s learning new skills or tools, understanding how to operate in a complex global company or progressing onto the next role or challenge. I’ve found nothing but supportive leaders and that my hard work is always appreciated.

J’ai été engagé comme conseiller saisonnier en avantages sociaux. Le conseiller est un agent qui détient une licence lui permettant de vendre des régimes d’assurance santé Medicare à des retraités faisant partie des associations de clients de Willis Towers Watson. Les conseillers en avantages sociaux accompagnent des participants de tout le pays dans leur transition d’une assurance groupée à une assurance individuelle du marché des assurances santé Medicare. J’ai ensuite occupé un poste saisonnier de représentant au service à la clientèle. J’agissais comme personne-ressource pour les clients inscrits à notre marché des assurances individuelles. J’aidais les participants dans le règlement de réclamations, dans la présentation de recours, ainsi que dans d’autres services de comptes. Ceci m’a mené à de nouvelles fonctions de superviseur des opérations, où j’étais à la tête d’une équipe de 15 conseillers en avantages sociaux qui vendaient des régimes d’assurance santé Medicare à des retraités faisant partie de nos associations. Je suis ensuite devenu superviseur des opérations de 10 à 12 équipes de conseillers. Maintenant, en tant que gestionnaire des opérations, je m’occupe de la transition des nouveaux clients et je dirige plusieurs gestionnaires des opérations d’inscription et leurs équipes. En parallèle, j’assume le rôle de responsable de secteur. Je m’occupe des activités des nos centres d’appels de Tempe, en Arizona.

En tant que gestionnaire principal des opérations d’inscription, je m’occupe de la transition de nouveaux clients employeurs qui passent d’une assurance de groupe à une assurance personnelle pour leurs retraités. Je dois atteindre les objectifs de transition de tous les clients admissibles à Medicare. Je m’occupe également de communiquer quotidiennement avec mes équipes d’inscription du segment Retraite et de veiller à ce que les inscriptions se fassent avec succès. Je produis des rapports hebdomadaires pour les directeurs de division, indiquant le progrès des inscriptions et l’état de la gestion du rendement des équipes et des agents.

En tant que responsable de secteur, je supervise les activités relatives à la gestion du rendement et à la participation des employés. J’organise également des visites du centre pour nos clients actuels et potentiels. Je chapeaute les événements caritatifs, les séances sur la sécurité et les sessions d’accueil de nouveaux employés, entre autres.

Le plus grand défi que je dois relever dans le cadre de mon poste est le roulement des employés chaque année. Un pourcentage important du personnel est saisonnier et travaille lorsqu’il y a un grand afflux de demandes pendant la période des inscriptions. Ceci signifie qu’il faut former les employés chaque année si nous voulons offrir une expérience de qualité. Nous faisons de notre mieux pour gérer cette problématique en utilisant des processus simplifiés et en nous concentrant sur le développement professionnel. L’objectif est d’aider mes collègues saisonniers à développer leurs aptitudes assez rapidement pour pouvoir accéder à d’autres postes dans l’organisation avant que leur contrat saisonnier ne prenne fin.

J’ai eu plusieurs occasions d’avancement chez Willis Towers Watson. J’ai été responsable de la création d’un système qui servirait à gérer tous les postes opérationnels des avantages sociaux pour retraités dans le marché des assurances individuelles. Cet outil est utilisé par les superviseurs des opérations et par les gestionnaires pour faire un suivi quotidien, hebdomadaire et mensuel des objectifs des collègues. Au cours des deux dernières années, j’ai chapeauté la mise en œuvre semestrielle de l’évaluation du rendement des employés saisonniers car ils n’étaient pas évalués par notre système global interne. En plus d’avoir droit à une évaluation qui résume la qualité de leur travail par rapport aux valeurs de Willis Towers Watson, les employés ont accès à des commentaires critiques en temps réel et à du mentorat.

Ce qui me rend le plus fier est le rôle que j’ai joué dans l’ouverture de nos nouvelles installations de service à la clientèle à Tempe, en Arizona. J’ai participé à la planification architecturale, aux effort de recrutement, à l’hébergement pour les formations extérieures, ainsi qu’à la création de la culture organisationnelle d’un tout nouveau personnel. Le site de Tempe est unique en son genre. Plusieurs secteurs d’activités sont installés dans le même bâtiment. Ceci a exigé, et exige toujours, beaucoup de travail d’intégration. Les installations sont fonctionnelles depuis trois ans et 500 employés, incluant les saisonniers, y travaillent.
Récemment, j’ai fait partie des 100 employés qui se sont vu remettre un prix CEO Circle. Pour me qualifier, je devais être nommé par au moins deux collègues. Les juges évaluent si les nominés respectent et encouragent les valeurs de Willis Towers Watson, soit la priorisation du client, le travail d’équipe, l’intégrité, le respect et l’excellence. Les juges essaient également d’estimer la valeur que le participant ajoute à l’organisation grâce à la complétion de projets. Mon travail acharné au quotidien a été reconnu. C’est une leçon d’humilité et ça me motive.

La culture d’entreprise met le client au cœur des décisions. Les gens de tous les rangs s’efforcent toujours à rendre les services aux clients meilleurs. Par exemple, les nouveaux agents parlent quotidiennement avec les retraités inscrits à notre marché des assurances individuelles. Ils les rassurent, répondent à leurs questions, et leur font savoir qu’ils peuvent toujours communiquer avec nous s’ils ont besoin d’aide.

J’aime beaucoup rencontrer des clients potentiels et leur parler de ce que nous pouvons offrir à leurs retraités qui passent d’une assurance groupée à une assurance personnelle dans notre marché des assurances individuelles. Nous mettons de l’avant le choix du client; nous proposons plusieurs options aux participants afin que ceux-ci trouvent ce qui convient le mieux à leurs besoins. Nous demeurons objectifs lorsqu’il s’agit d’aider les gens à s’inscrire aux régimes. Nous voulons surtout nous assurer que chaque personne trouve son compte lors d’une entente.

Je suis fier de faire partie d’une organisation qui priorise l’expérience des clients et des retraités plutôt que ses revenus. L’entreprise veut bien faire pour le client et croit qu’une telle approche aura une incidence positive sur les revenus et la croissance à long terme.

J’aimerais être plus impliqué dans les stratégies de vente. Je pense que ma connaissance de la division dans laquelle je travaille pourrait servir à innover et à faire progresser l’entreprise, à percer sur de nouveaux marchés et à élargir notre offre de produits.

C’est une entreprise dans laquelle vous pouvez faire avancer votre carrière. Maîtrisez vos tâches rapidement afin de progresser et obtenir un nouveau poste. Transférez vos compétences d’un poste à l’autre pour avoir encore plus d’influence dans vos nouvelles fonctions. Et plus d’influence vous aurez sur nos clients, plus vous vous sentirez valorisé et comblé par votre emploi.