Staff training is a cornerstone of Zurich Insurance Group's branding. But beyond ensuring that all its staff fulfil their potential and have a clear career path, training also serves a very practical purpose.
'It is quite difficult to [source] the right people, as some of the skill sets we require are rare,' says Joan Chung, manager, talent management, learning and development, human resources. '[So] we grow people from inside the company, and familiarise them with the Zurich Way.'
Each employee has a tailor-made development plan with follow-up activities and courses organised by the Zurich Academy. They also participate in rotations, mentoring and regional job placements.
The future leaders are trained in the one-year Global Associate Programme that offers participants a unique overview of the company. The programme kicks off for the 50 or so candidates from all over the world with a four-week stay in Zurich. This is followed by a 22-week tenure with the department that originally hired the candidate, and an eight-week rotation in another department.
Rachel Than, now an underwriter - accident and health, corporate and commercial SBU, was hired by the underwriting department and spent her international rotation with the actuarial department, while Yuki Lo - project analyst, global life Asia Pacific and the Middle East, who specialised in business development - got an insight into product development.
After the rotation, associates are back in Zurich for a 'strategic week'. Even the highest echelons participate in the training, and associates get the chance to meet the group chief executive, the executive board, the chief operating and investment officers, and hear their strategies for these particular functions.
