The insurance industry has been singled out as one of the employment hot spots by recruiter Hays, and the latest catastrophes will increase that demand.

While demand for life insurance and reinsurance underwriters are expected to be in demand, already risk assessors are being sought in light of the Queensland floods.

Hays Director Queensland Darren Buchanan told insuranceNEWS.com.au the demand for assessors is usually small in Queensland.

“However, we have seen a lift in the past week,” he said. “As they are senior roles it is still early days and we may see more demand in the coming months.”

Mr Buchanan says the main demand in the insurance sector at present is with claims roles.

“We’ve seen this demand rise during the past week,” he said.

In its Hays Quarterly Report for January to March this year, the recruiter found that insurers are creating new roles to bolster their teams.

Hays Insurance Senior Regional Director Jane McNeill said while people generally seek new roles at the start of a new year, the demand for certain specialist skills won’t be met.

“The shortage of these skills will remain a challenge for employers even as candidates move and employers recruit, creating a busy but tight market,” she said.

“Dominating the first quarter of 2011 will be recruitment activity for workers’ compensation candidates as well as for broking vacancies within the commercial insurance space.”

Ms McNeill said Hays expects an increase in support roles, especially temporary and full-time general administration.

“Good sales and broking staff will also be in demand,” she said.  

“There’s no doubt that we’re very quickly returning to a state of candidate shortage and will continue in this direction as more organisations experience growth.”