(FRANKENMUTH, MI) — A new program to provide area high school students with the opportunity to prepare for a future career in the growing insurance industry will launch this September in Frankenmuth.
The collaboration between Northwood University, Frankenmuth Insurance, InsuringMIFuture.org, Tuscola County Intermediate School District, and Frankenmuth Public Schools allows high school juniors and seniors to obtain high school and free college credits, while also receiving hands-on insurance experience at Frankenmuth Insurance Company.
“Frankenmuth Insurance is very pleased to work with the education partners to offer this program to our local communities,” said Fred Edmond, President and Chief Operating Officer. “Most students have not considered a career in insurance, mainly because they are unfamiliar with our industry, the good we do for others and the wide variety of opportunities that exist. Having a first-hand look from the inside may help them realize they can have a rewarding career in insurance.”
Students will attend class at Frankenmuth Insurance as well as Tuscola Technology Career. While at Frankenmuth Insurance, the students will job shadow, participate in presentations by insurance industry professionals and learn specific job skills.
“I really didn’t have to think too long before I signed up,” said Riley Klein, a student at Cass City High School. “This is a great opportunity to earn free college credits and get valuable hands-on experience in a leading company.”
Northwood University, through its undergraduate program in insurance and risk management, will teach the courses and provide the students who successfully complete the program with nine semester hours of college academic credit at no cost to the students.
“Northwood University is pleased to partner with Frankenmuth Insurance and the school districts to offer this innovative program that expands career options to students while still in high school,” said Dr. Keith A. Pretty, President and CEO. “The students will gain real career opportunities and a very cost effective educational start in a dynamic industry. That’s a great value.”
The insurance industry is facing a shortage of young talent.
“Nearly 40 percent of the insurance industry’s workforce in this state is 55 and older,” said Lori Conarton of the Insurance Institute of Michigan, a member of the Insuring MI Future Coalition. “That provides quite an opportunity for young people thinking about their future career.”
The insurance industry employs more than 114,000 people and pays $6.3 billion in wages in the Great Lakes State.
“This innovative program will provide students from Tuscola County and Frankenmuth Public Schools an advantage as they embark on their life after high school. Not only will they have nine free college credits, they will have experience that puts them on a path to a great career in the insurance industry,” said Gene Pierce, superintendent of Tuscola County ISD.
The High School Program is supported by the Insuring MI Future Coalition, a campaign to attract young people to the insurance industry. Members are the Insurance Institute of Michigan, Michigan Association of Insurance Agents, Michigan Association of Health Plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Life Insurance Association of Michigan and Department of Insurance and Financial Services. To learn more about insurance careers, salaries, scholarships and educational opportunities, visit the coalition’s website, www.insuringmifuture.org.
Related Pages: Insurance Risk Management Degree Program
Photos from the new conference:
Current NU students in the Insurance Risk Management program
