Who remembers those career guidance conversations one had in high school? Most of them were focused on getting young people into mainstream careers that required a higher education certificate to even set foot in the industry.
Times have since changed. More and more the South African climate has shown that brilliant young minds don't make it to higher education institutions due to financial difficulties or a lack of funding. Yet, one can get a foot into an industry such as the insurance sector with a Matric Certificate and proof of an intention to further their academic qualifications.
A Matric Certificate alone won't get you very far in this industry. The world of insurance is ever changing and forever innovating, and it is those who keep up academically and professionally who get to enjoy the beauty of what this industry can offer. For those looking to start a career in this sector and to maintain it for their working lives, here's what you need to study:
High School
According to the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority's (INSETA) Career Guide, different tertiary institutions have different minimum entry requirements. However, as a guide, high school subjects such as Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Languages are advantageous in pursuing a career in the insurance sector. Other subjects one might want to consider while in high school include Business Studies, Economics, an additional language to English, and Accounting.
Higher Education
The IISA membership academic qualification requirements are great guidelines. To obtain general membership with the Institute you need various academic credentials, and knowledge areas, and these differ as you enter the designation categories. To find out what the academic requirements for each category are, visit: https://www.iisa.co.za/membership/membership
Continuing Professional Development
Those who make a name for themselves in the sector, never stop learning. IISA's professional members have a strict prescribed number of hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) that they need to do per annum. This includes various industry related activities to help them get better at their craft. In an ever evolving industry, this ensures that professionals in the local industry are of the highest calibre and continue to provide ongoing value to the customer.
Click here for more on IISA membership and their different academic requirements.
