Growing the independent agency workforce of the future is so important to the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, that its agent-led Board of Directors made it the No. 1 priority of the association's strategic plan.
The first accomplishment of that strategic plan was the passage in May 2015 of a bill that authorizes the Florida Department of Financial Services to waive the state exam for a personal lines agent's license if the applicant receives an associate's degree that includes nine credit hours of approved insurance instruction. The student also graduates with a customer service license.
Passage of the bill added momentum to the FAIA Good Works Fund's ongoing effort to establish insurance specialization programs at state/community colleges to develop a pipeline of job candidates who are "work ready" on day one.
In all cases, The Good Works Fund provides financial support for student scholarships and program marketing.
The Good Works Fund also supports three named scholarships offered through Florida State University's Risk Management and Insurance program.
FAIA is also working with independent agents and company partners to create "Insurance Communities" in counties served by supported state colleges. Insurance community participants volunteer to teach classes, give presentations, open their agency or company to student tours, provide student internships, staff career days, hire graduates, or donate money to support student scholarships. Volunteer.
To learn more about FAIA and the Good Works Fund workforce development initiatives, contact GWF staff liaison Lee Martin or GWF Chairman Tom Cotton.
FAIA is a nonprofit state trade association of insurance agencies affiliated with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, Inc., and 18 local boards throughout Florida. The association serves as a central source of information for more than 2,100 member agencies.