Coleman Insurance Brokers has launched a new apprentice scheme and has welcomed their very first apprentice to join their close knit team of staff.
Coleman worked closely with Bournemouth and Poole College in the recruitment process and received much valued advice and guidance from the College. Coleman were advised to list the apprentice employment opportunity on a national data base and were delighted to receive some 38 applications. 7 applicants were interviewed and the position was eventually offered to 18 year old, Tom Guilfoyle.
Tom, who joined Coleman on 3rdNovember in the role of apprentice Account Handler, had previously been an A Level student at Purbeck School in Wareham. Tom studied and achieved 3 A Levels in Mathematics, Physics and Economics, including an A grade in mathematics.
Joining the Company on a two year apprenticeship programme, Tom will ultimately spend four days a week working at Coleman and one day a week at Bournemouth and Poole College, where he will be studying to complete the Cert. CII, a core qualification for insurance staff working in all sectors of the industry.
Amy Houldsworth, Account Executive and Tom’s Line Manager said, “We are delighted to welcome Tom to Coleman. He interviewed extremely well, demonstrating excellent communications skills and impressed the interview panel with his overall attitude. His personality definitely shone through and we felt that he would be an excellent match for our Company.”
Amy continued, “Tom will rotate working in different departments at Coleman, spending 4 months in each in order that he gets a real feel for what the Company does as a whole. At the end of the two year period he will become an account handler.”
Tom enthused, “I am 15 days in to my new role and time is flying by, there’s never a dull moment. However, at the same time it feels like I’ve been here for much longer. I’m finding the working environment really friendly. Everyone is very eager to help me settle in and help me to learn. I’m looking forward to progressing through the various departments and learning about the different areas of the business.”
Tom added, “After completing my A levels I decided that I wanted to take a different path rather than going down the traditional University route. My elder brother has completed an apprenticeship and he gained so much from the experience and found it enjoyable. I’m looking forward to the next two years.”
June Furner, HR & Staff Welfare Manager at Coleman said, “Having an apprentice is a first for us here at Coleman and we hope to continue in the future to recruit high achieving students from school or college with a view to training and developing them with the skills our business needs. This is a great way for us to attract new talent into the industry.”
Established in 1928, with roots going back to 1903, Coleman is one of the UK’s longest established, truly independent insurance brokers, employing some 60 staff at locations in Poole and Exeter. https://www.thecolemangroup.co.uk
Kate Shaw
