The UK-based Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has launched a guide to hiring “apprentice employees” in the insurance and financial planning sectors.

The guide aims to help employers harness the opportunities offered by hiring and developing young people. 

It covers the benefits of hiring apprentices, what apprenticeships offer and how to make apprenticeships work.

Benefits include funded learning and staff development, external support from a training provider and the opportunity to attract talent to the company, the guide says.

The CII says firms need to identify where an apprentice would fit into the business structure; find a suitable training provider; arrange funding, recruitment methods and induction processes; develop apprentice skills and knowledge; and provide regular feedback.

“This method of employing younger entrants… will play a role in shaping tomorrow’s profession, and the CII is here to help employers get involved,” CEO Sandy Scott said.