A u g u s t 2 0 1 3

ISSUE 6: WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SKILLED TOMORROW

INSETA SERIOUS AbOUT SUppORTING THE DISAbLED

INSETA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES PORTAL

ENDLEss POssIBILItYAt YOu FINgER tIPs

WWW.INSETANETWORK.CO.ZA

u P L OA D YO u R C V N OWIf you’ve worked in the insurance industry and are

currently unemployed or completed a learnership or internship in the industry but unemployed.

CONTENTS

COVER STORY

National Disability Awards Winner

DIVISIONAL INSIGHTS

Insurance Industry Players Identify Talented Black Learners To Pursue Actuarial Science.

INSIDERS CHOICE

Education and subsidised learning will spearhead the intermediary’s drive to transform

the industry

INSIDER NEWS

INSETA Network launches Employment Oppor tunities Por tal

NEW bEGINNINGS

INSETA facilitates an internship at Frank.net

INsEtA provided Chaeli with a bursary to pursue her studies at university following her win in 2012.

Despite being a wheelchair user, the INsEtA National Disability Award winner and bursary holder has moved onto residence at the university with her caregiver at the beginning of the year and is enjoying a rich student life. she passed her mid-year university subjects comfortably while successfully adapting to varsity life and even tackling the world’s biggest cycle race. Chaeli admits it was “quite an adjustment from high school. Being responsible for performance and organising my time to get all my work done on time was definitely something to get used to.”

As was adjusting to large classes. But far from expecting to be singled out, she is thrilled about being able to blend in. “It’s really nice to be one of the many. A friend told me that societies are where the fun happens and where the memories are made. She was right.”

Chaeli also joined uCt student newspaper Varsity and uCt Cycling, through which she trained for and completed the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle tour in a buggy behind her cycling partner and friend grant Kruger. “then there’s the whole new experience of living in campus residence. Res life is very interesting, very different to home life. I’m in a double room with my assistant, Nthabi. there is an amazing camaraderie between all the ladies in the res. Everyone is so willing to help anyone else.”

she feels that she can excel at the university of Cape town. “there is such diversity of people, attitudes and study plans, that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from. You can be whoever you want to be, and that freedom is incredible.”

Chaeli’s mother, Zelda, is proud of Chaeli’s ability to “knuckle down and do what she has to do. the Disability unit at uCt advised her in January to enroll for an extended programme (doing her degree

NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARDS WINNER CHALLENgINg PERCEPtIONs IN HIgHER EDuCAtION

Chaeli Mycroft is the first university of Cape town student with a disability needing a personal assistant to live with her so that she is able to live in residence. she has adapted well to the discipline of university and residence life, attaining first-semester marks in excess of 60% in all four of her social science subjects.

in four years instead of three). they were quite dubious when she said she would be doing the usual four subjects. she is therefore particularly amped at having succeeded in all her first semester courses.”

Zelda thanked INsEtA for its generous bursary support and for creating opportunities for Chaeli to continue her work as an ability activist. “she has been very active on campus and her living in res is definitely changing perceptions of what is possible. We are very appreciative of the way in which you are partnering Chaeli in order for her to enjoy a full student life.”

INsEtA CEO sandra Dunn says this partnership goes further towards removing the barriers facing people with disabilities. “Persons with a disability can

add valuable skills and experience to the workplace, but too many companies still don’t have an adequate ratio. People like Chaeli are invaluable in helping to raise awareness of the potential for the workforce. she sets a shining example of what can be achieved, and INSETA is honoured to stand behind her,” she said.

INsEtA has provided bursaries to learners to study in public universities and FEt Colleges for study areas that are scarce and critical skills in the insurance sector. these include Actuarial science; Financial Planning; B Com Insurance and Risk Management; and NCV Business and Financial Management. the bursaries are managed by the public FEt or university and are based on a combination of factors including merit and equity.

Chaeli in her buggy attached to Argus Cycle tour team mate grant Kruger’s bicycle

Chaeli Mycroft receiving her cheque from INsEtA at the National Disability Awards ceremony

INSURANCE INDUSTRY pLAYERS IDENTIFY TALENTED

BLACK LEARNERS TO PURSUE ACTUARIAL SCIENCE.

DIVISIONAL INSIGHTS

Key players in the insurance industry partner to identify talented black learners to pursue actuarial science, INsEtA and MMI Holdings addresses shortage of black actuarial professionals, the acute shortage of black actuaries is receiving high-level attention thanks to an industry initiative to identify and help mentor the budding actuarial talent.

the Insurance sector Education and training Authority (INsEtA) recently co-funded the inaugural INsEtA and MMI Holdings Actuarial Career Fair for top-performing Mathematics and science learners at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg in July.

Ms. sandra Dunn, INsEtA CEO, said the Fair was a perfect fit. “INSETA was established to promote skills development in the insurance industry. since Actuarial science is a scarce and critical skill in the insurance industry, we have a vested interest in facilitating the development and graduation of more qualified black actuaries to help fulfill in this critical need.”

“In this, we share a vision with the Association of south African Black Actuarial Professionals (AsABA) in its efforts to address the lack of representation of black actuarial professionals in the financial services industry, and will continue to work together to further this cause,” she said.

the one-day Actuarial Fair was hosted by AsABA in an effort to increase awareness of the actuarial profession among learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. the event was organised by the AsABA schools Committee to encourage potential school learners to consider a career in Actuarial science.

since an actuarial career path requires a high aptitude for Mathematics and science, only grade 11 and 12 learners with a Mathematics pass rate of above 80% were selected for this event. In all, 66 pupils from gauteng schools including: Dr WV Vilakazi High school, Bhukulani High school, Lenasia High school, PACE High school, LEAP school from Linbro Park, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for girls and steve tswete secondary school, attended the event.

Melosi Baloyi (AsABA schools Committee Chairperson and AsABA Executive

Committee member), sajiv Issuree (AsABA Executive Committee member),

1st prize winner Njabulo Ndaba from PACE High school, 3rd prize winner Ncube

Zenzele from steve tswete sec school, 2nd priz e winner Ntokozo Magagula from

PACE High school, Werner Marx (AsABA schools Committee member)

Nigel from platinum sponsor MMI passionately gives answers to curious leaners.

Actuarial Career Fair provided quality information Learners and their teachers were also introduced to the south African Actuaries Development Programme (sAADP), and given bursary information on Actuarial science studies at university. Other Actuarial companies and actuarial bursary suppliers also had the opportunity to exhibit at the fair. Learners and teachers had the opportunity to interact with a number of actuaries and actuarial trainees, enabling them to obtain as much information on the profession as possible. Attendees visited exhibits by MMI Holdings, INsEtA, (Absa Bank) and the Actuarial society of south Africa. Attendees could enter a mathematical quiz to win four iPads with which to enhance their study and internet connectivity needs.

A number of high-profile industry speakers gave presentations focusing on career advice for aspirant actuaries. speakers such as Prof. steven Jurisich, from WIts university, MMI media relations executive, Mr. Dan Moyane and Munich Re CEO, Mr. Junior Ngulube, gave insight on subject choice, the viability of careers within the industry and management’s view of candidate actuaries’ career paths

south African London paralympian and Deloitte actuarial employee Mr Pieter Du Preez drew on his own life experiences in an uplifting presentation, detailing his struggle in overcoming a disability, so as to obtain a degree and to represent his country at the recent 2012 Olympics.

Mr Moyane said he was looking forward to partnering with the organisors for future events. He urged that the number of attendees be expanded to several hundreds in an effort to address skills inequalities.

sajiv Issuree (MC and AsABA Exco member) hands a gift to MMI Executive and

speaker Dan Moyane.

sajiv Issuree hands a gift to speakers Pieter and wife Illse Du Preez. Pieter is a

South African London Paralympic finalist.

Learners from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for girls (OWLA) pose for some photos outside the venue.

Justus van Pletzen, CEO of the Financial Intermediaries Association of southern Africa (FIA).

and transformation are best addressed through extensive and on-going investment in human capital. “transformation is a challenge,” says Arnold van der Linde, President of the FIA. “But it is a challenge that we can only address if we attract new blood to the industry while championing education, skills development and professionalism at every opportunity.” The shortage of suitably qualified insurance professionals is one of the main obstacles that must be overcome in order for the industry to transform as envisioned in the Code. In this regard the FIA is working closely with INSETA to improve the ‘supply’ of qualified people to the industry.

“There are many opportunities for financial services firms to provide on-the-job training for suitable candidates,” says Van der Linde. “We have actively encouraged our members to open their workplaces to INsEtA-subsidised learnerships, and thereby support the transformation and up skilling agenda.”Financial services providers and brokerages have an opportunity to include transformation in the process and operational reviews that are already underway as part of the pending treating Customers Fairly (tCF) regulation.“tCF regulation will go a long way towards achieving the Code’s desire for improved financial access for all,” says Van Pletzen. “And considering the country’s history one cannot have fair treatment of consumers without a transformation component.”

He warns, however, that stakeholders must consider underlying industry trends when implementing the Code: “The number of risk and financial advisers plying their trade in south Africa is in decline for a number of reasons, including an ageing workforce and the rising compliance burden.” “Transformation objectives will be best met by attracting new entrants to the industry and ensuring that these entrants become employers and owners of intermediary businesses as the old guard steps down.”

One of the challenges with south Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (Act 53 of 2003) is that it is viewed as legislation for large companies. Many small business owners believe that the Act applies only to organisations that employ 50 or more people or that have turnovers in the hundreds of millions of rand. they also dismiss transformation policies and initiatives with the line: B-BBEE and similar legislation do not apply because my company does not conduct business with government. the Financial sector Code (Code) – launched on 17 July 2013 and effective from 1 January 2012 – addresses any misconceptions by clearly stating that natural or juristic persons conducting a business, trade or profession in the South African financial sector, including financial services intermediation and brokerages, have a role to play.

the Code commits all participants in the industry to promote a transformed, vibrant and globally competitive financial sector that reflects the demographics of the country and contributes to the establishment of an equitable society by providing accessible financial services to all communities and by directing investment into targeted sectors of the economy.

“skills development and transformation are critical issues that must be addressed by the South African financial services sector,” says Justus van Pletzen, CEO of the Financial Intermediaries Association of southern Africa (FIA). “Our participation in the short term Insurance sector’s Human Capital Development (HCD) project is just one example of our commitment to achieving the objectives set out in the Code.”HCD is a joint initiative by the FIA, south African Insurance Association, Insurance Institute of south Africa and south African underwriting Managers’ Association – with support from the Insurance sector Education and training Authority (INsEtA) and the Financial services Board. the project is based on the premise that industry challenges such as skills development

INTERMEDIARY bODIESEducation and subsidised learning will spearhead

the intermediary’s drive to

transform the industry

INSETA Network launches Employment Opportunities Portal

NewsI N S I D E R

The INSETA National Skills Development Broker Network (INSETA Network) recently launched their Employment Oppor tunities Por tal aimed at interns who have not been permanently placed with employers as well as other unemployed workers in the insurance industry.

Candidates do not need to be members of the INsEtA Network and there is no cost for them to upload their profiles.

the portal’s web address is www.insetanetwork.co.za and can be accessed via the home page.the INsEtA Network is just over a year old and has about 2 000 members already. Its purpose is to support small and micro independent brokers by making access to INsEtA’s skills development programmes easier.

Dunn says that she is very excited about the portal and looks forward to report positive results in the near future. “I’m sure that the Portal will have a solid take-up since we know that it will positively impact our small brokers and make a difference to many unemployed workers in the industry.”

“We would like to assist both the employers looking for suitable candidates and people searching for jobs in the industry,” says Sandra Dun, INSETA CEO.

“through the portal we hope to assist small brokers with their recruitment process and contribute to a lot more unemployed workers in the industry finding employment faster. We have dozens of interns on our records who once they have completed their internships and learnerships, have not been able to find suitable employment yet,” explains Dunn.

“there are also hundreds of more experienced workers in the industry such as FAIs accredited professionals and support staff, who are currently unemployed. At the same time, there are many small brokers who find it difficult to obtain information about potential employees that are available to fill vacancies. Our portal will no doubt help to connect people looking for jobs in the industry and small businesses wanting to recruit suitable staff.”

through the portal, INsEtA hopes to reduce the cost for small independent brokers to obtain information about suitable candidates in the industry looking for work. the INsEtA Network does not charge its members for any candidates listed on the portal that are successfully placed and neither does it charge a membership fee.

the portal is only available for unemployed candidates seeking employment in the insurance industry and only the members of the INsEtA Network can view the candidates’ profiles that are uploaded onto the portal.

“The portal will not accept profiles from candidates that are already employed in the industry, but who wish to change their jobs,” stresses Dunn.

The Insurance Sector Education and

Training Authority (INSETA), assisted

in placing Ms Catherine pitsi, as a

business Solutions intern at Frank.

net, between September 2012 and July

2013. Ms pitsi recalls her experience

as an intern at Frank.net for us.

I had not anticipated it, but my first day at

Frank.net in september 2012 was to be

the beginning of a life-changing experience

for me.

the company’s culture allows one to

grow in one’s career, and also to grow as

an individual. the company’s spirited and

lively ambience comes from its staff. there

is a fusion of personalities with diverse

backgrounds: from the sales agents to

the Chief Executive Officer, all working

together to achieve a common goal. this

kind of energetic atmosphere is important

for an ‘ICt- head’ like me, who thrives in

a high-activity environment when working

with technology infrastructure systems.

I was fortunate to work in a department

that constantly observed ever-evolving

trends. At Frank.net, I found a place

where I was continuously stretched

beyond my limitations. the thrills and joys

that came with working and supporting

the Information Communication

and technology (ICt) systems were

phenomenal.

At times, it may have been challenging,

but providing valuable assistance to my

colleagues made all my efforts worthwhile.

I learnt the ins-and-outs of the ICt

systems from my team mates and most

importantly, my manager, who was also

my mentor. My manager let me investigate

and solve problems and make decisions

by myself and this allowed me to progress

and mature as an individual. As a result I

have become more patient and my time-

management skills have improved. I cannot

imagine learning as much at another

company as I have at Frank.net. this is all

thanks to my colleagues who imparted

their knowledge freely to me. since I

started working for Frank.net, different

aspects of my life – not only work-related

- have transformed for the better.

I am humbled and honoured that as an

intern, my manager, and other managers in

the company, entrusted key matters to me

and subsequently gave me the opportunity

to apply all that I have learnt. the belief

that my managers and colleagues had in

me, motivated me to persist in my work,

and I gave everything I had to support the

staff at the company.

the opportunities that Frank.net gives to

its employees are unique, as individuals

are given the chance to enrich their lives

by growing in their careers. At Frank.net

the possibilities are limitless. If I had the

chance to take up an internship at Frank.

net again I would so without hesitation.

I am eternally grateful to my colleagues

who supported me and helped mould me

into the woman I am today.

Aluta Continua

NEWBEGINNINGS

INSETA facilitates an internship at Frank.net

Ms Cathrine pitsi

GROWING SOUTH AFRICA BY DEVELOPING YOU

W W W. I N s E t A . O R g . Z A

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Oakhurst, North Wing, ground Floor11 st. Andrews Road Parktown2193 Johannesburg

postal Address

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Telephone: 011 544 2000

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