Learning & Development

Employees of the group are actively encouraged to progress and develop their careers. The objectives of the training policy are to:

• Ensure that at all times the Company has an ample resource of people with exemplary skills, experience, and ability to achieve existing and emerging business plans.
• Enhance the contribution of employees to the dynamics and success of the Company
• Enable individuals to realise their full potential and so achieve maximum job satisfaction

Development begins from day one with the Allianz Induction Programme, designed to support you in your first few weeks. From there a wide range of learning is available, from a range of technical and non-technical courses to learning tools such as the IVY PC study station located at a number of offices throughout the country. There is an Open Learning Centre (OLC) based at Guildford Head Office incorporating numerous facilities; internet PC's, scanner, TV and video, a quiet area for study, books, videos CD-ROMs and tapes. Staff can use the centre's materials either on site, or on a library basis at their own location.

The Company provides tools and learning opportunities which will enable and assist you to plan your training as your career progresses, such as career development workshops, as well as a performance appraisal and development framework based on job-related competencies. All staff are encouraged to follow personal development plans covering both technical and non-technical areas.

In addition to providng a range of locally based internal and external learning events, such is Allianz 's commitment to the training and development of its employees that the company purchased its own training centre, Allianz Manor in 1976. Providing both residential and day courses in a wide spectrum of subjects employees can successfully plan career development and fulfilment.

Allianz is also committed to having professionally qualified staff and supports staff to obtain relevant qualifications. The Company will pay for professional subscriptions and examination fees, offer private study time during working hours and pay a cash award upon completion of a professional qualification.

Allianz Opportunities

For senior and high potential staff, there is a range or training programmes sponsored by Allianz. There is also a range of knowledge sharing groups.

Underwriting Academy

Underwriters are a vital lifeblood to any insurance company, and it is essential that their skills and competencies be continually enhanced if we are to meet our company objectives. To put it in simplistic terms, an underwriter assesses risk in order to calculate a suitable premium - the very essence of insurance.

In a determined commitment to put us at the forefront of training and development within the industry and make Allianz the preferred employer for any person wanting to advance their underwriting career, the Academy was launched in 2001 at a cost of over £1,000,000.

Underwriting is a "core skill" in the insurance sector and is integral to the future success and competitive advantage of the company. Training within the Academy is provided across four classes of business, commercial motor, commercial property and casualty, personal insurance and speciality commercial.

The mission statement for the Academy is:

To create, develop and maintain within Allianz , underwriters whose skills are at the forefront of the industry

To provide a framework that allows individuals to attain necessary skills to succeed in their jobs and maximise their long term potential

This Academy provides an effective career development competency framework that links the training provided by the company to the individual's responsibility for their own development and learning.

This new and exciting opportunity exists for all underwriters and will benefit underwriters in the following ways:

• A commitment from Allianz to support the underwriter's development, both technically and through your professional studies.
• A structured path for technical development and learning.
• A framework to increase skills and knowledge

Modules successfully completed within the Academy are not only beneficial to the employees role at Allianz ; the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has also accredited them for its continuous professional development scheme, providing industry wide recognition.

The Academy won the Insurance Times Award for Training Programme of the Year in December 2001.

Investors in People have accredited the whole of the company since 1999. The objective of IiP is to improve business performance and secure competitive advantage through a planned approach to setting and communicating business goals and developing employees to meet these goals.

Accreditation by the IiP gives Allianz a nationally recognised best practice framework for the training and development of staff, and the company is committed to remaining accredited.