NIBA / Special Feature
“Professional education makes broking more accessible and attractive by setting out structured entry pathways and highlighting the wide range of specialist roles across the sector,” she says. “It provides a ‘road in’ for people from non‑traditional backgrounds such as the arts, humanities, technology, and data, helping them see how their existing skills can translate into broking careers. Strong professional standards and recognised qualifications also lift the status of broking as a profession. They help position it as a deliberate choice for high‑calibre graduates and career‑changers, not just the industry people ‘fall into’.” Shanks says that this is particularly important for Gen Z and younger professionals, who increasingly seek purpose‑led careers aligned with their personal values and expect their work to contribute positively to environmental and social outcomes.
“Ensuring the opportunity measures up culturally is critically important – the opportunity to grow and learn ‘on the job’ then becomes incredibly compelling.”
“Insurance has a compelling story to tell here. Through its deep risk expertise, datasets and modelling, the sector plays a real role in climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and protecting vulnerable communities and businesses.” Taking control of your future – proactivity needed NIBA’s Ready or Reacting? report revealed that just 58% of businesses feel prepared for the imminent workforce changes, and Klipin says being proactive lies at the heart of success in this space. “Many firms have yet to align their strategies and infrastructure to support this changing workforce. This will become increasingly important as the sector is now competing with other professions, as well as within the insurance space, for talent.
Shanks agrees.
“To replace the looming cohort of retiring brokers, firms need to emphasise “earn while you learn” pathways, internships and graduate programs that welcome people from different backgrounds and related industries, not just traditional entry routes.” One thing’s clear – the make-up of the insurance profession is shifting, and the collective opportunity is to make insurance as a career of choice, not accident. Individually as businesses, the opportunity is to make sure that, once those high skilled people have chosen ‘insurance’, they then choose you.
56 / INSURANCE ADVISER APRIL/MAY 2026
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