An aging workforce

London Market Group’s ‘London Matters Report 2024’ found that there were now more people over 50 than under 30 in the UK insurance sector. Coupled with challenges for diverse talent accessing the industry, Aon knew they needed to do something now to invest in their future talent pipelines - and in a way that supports social mobility.

An ambitious solution: Aon’s WIP-to-hire programme

Aon was determined to take action to shift the dial on social mobility in the sector and build a new pool of young, engaged talent, excited about a career in Financial Services.

Aon & Connectr worked together to build out a large scale programme that reinvented the tired model of work experience. Moving away from 'friends & family' only, 1-1 shadowing or making cups of tea.

Aon's Work Insights Programme (“WIP”) offers Y12s & 13s from lower socioeconomic backgrounds the chance to spend 3-days at their local Aon office to learn more about the sector, network with Aon colleagues and put their learning to the test with a group project running across the week.

Recognising that participants would benefit significantly from multiple touchpoints, Aon offered wrap around support:

·      Participants had access to an online platform to support them ahead of Day 1, with access to information about the week, Aon and career next steps.

·      Connectr and Aon worked together to provide follow-on touchpoints (coaching calls and mock Assessment Centres) to support conversion into apprenticeship applications and ultimately hires.

Impact to date: shift in perceptions, skills and hires!

To date the programme has reached 1,590 students across 8 different Aon offices in the UK, building awareness, talent pipelines and conversions into hires:

·      In Year 1 of the programme, c 24% of Aon’s apprentices had attended WIP – with numbers currently tracking higher for Y2.

·      86% of WIP participants in 2024 said they’d consider a career at Aon after attending the week – up from 29% before attending!

·      91% of participants would recommend Aon to a friend.

·      53% of students attended schools/colleges within the bottom 30% of post codes on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation.

To see the full impact from last year's programme, view Aon's Work Insights Programme 2024 Impact Report.