Training and development

We offer training and development opportunities that enable our employees to learn continuously and develop the best skills.

We do this by sharing knowledge and experience throughout the company. This also helps us to attract the most talented and motivated people.

Getting the best out of employees is vital if we are to compete successfully. Customers benefit from better technical knowledge and advice; and employees get the chance to improve their skills, qualifications and advance their careers.

Global Graduate Development Programme

The Global Graduate Development programme aims to attract and develop high calibre talent in core technical disciplines of underwriting, claims and actuarial, attracting graduates from the best universities around the world.

Fast Track

Fast Track is a two-year programme designed to encourage rapid career progression and exposure to the business. Employees on this course receive training, coaching and networking opportunities with different parts of the business. It is aimed at individuals who have already shown a capability to learn quickly, demonstrated by a level of success in their early career. The programme is open to both internal and external candidates.

Technical Academy

The Technical Academy provides knowledge sharing, career pathways and mentoring forums for underwriting, claims and actuarial experts right across the Group bringing some of the company’s best minds together. Global Forums are central to the success of the Technical Academy. They provide the opportunity for global networking and building relationships with colleagues from across the Group.

A dedicated intranet site and quarterly magazine keep technical experts up to date with new initiatives and developments across the business. During 2008 we also launched iCasts, "Did you know?" factual briefing papers and live online briefings for internal and external experts on business issues, such as a review of marine insurance and the types and purpose of reinsurance.

Leadership Development Programme

The objective of RSA’s Leadership Development Programme is to identify, develop and equip the Group’s leaders of the future with the skills and mindset to drive the business growth across the world. For the first time the programme is being run in Canada, Scandinavia, the Baltics, Asia, Middle East and Latin America.

The nine-month programme features:

• Three week-long off-the-job learning modules;
• Strategic project work on a wide range of business issues;
• Networking opportunities with other potential RSA leaders;
• Performance coaching to encourage rapid career development.

Those on the course are nominated because their managers recognise they have the potential to pursue more challenging roles in the next two to five years.

Executive Development Programme

Now in its fifth year, the Executive Development Programme is a seven-month course for senior leaders that aims to develop their leadership, team working and project management skills. Participants take part in projects that look at key business challenges facing the company, for example, looking at how we can make claims handling a competitive advantage.

Retaining knowledge in the Group through the Masters program

“In April 2008, I retired from my job as a Branch Manager and Claims Examiner after 29 years at Johnson. Six months later, I was pleased to be asked back as part of the Masters Program. The program brings back Johnson veterans to help out on projects ranging from mentoring new employees to managing key customer relationships. The idea is to make sure the knowledge of long standing employees is passed on to the next generation.

I joined the program to train a new employee, Todd Blake, as a General Adjuster. I used my past experience to coach him in technical and customer relationship skills. Todd came to Johnson with no insurance background and I think the program has helped him to develop quickly. It’s good to hear that he is doing well in his new role.

I have also got a lot from the program. After so many years at work, the idea of not being a part of something was daunting. The Masters Program has helped me to accept retirement more gradually.”

Fred Pike
Johnson