Liam Paul talks about his journey so far as a Covéa Insurance apprentice

To mark national apprentice week, Covéa Insurance spoke to one of its current apprentices, Liam Paul, and asked him to share his experience.

Eighteen year old Liam Paul began his apprenticeship at the company’s Reading town centre office in September 2014, working in the commercial trading department where he’s gaining paid work experience while studying for an NVQ in Customer Service.

What has been your experience of the Covéa apprenticeship programme and would you recommend it to others?
Covéa insurance has taken me on and treated me as part of the company, not just someone needing to learn. Everyone has welcomed me and the training I’ve received has been magnificent. The company puts my NVQ first and supports me in making sure I do well. I would recommend joining Covéa Insurance on an apprenticeship scheme as you learn so much while you’re getting paid. Covéa Insurance will support you all the way in achieving your full potential.

What made you choose an apprenticeship?
This is a good way to get your foot in the door and gain more experience in the area of work you’re interested in. When you’re young, it’s a struggle to get into some companies as they want experience, however with an apprenticeship it is easier for young people who have just come from school to find a first job.

What qualifications did you need to join the programme?
I needed to have a C in Maths and English at GCSE level to apply. Then I had to submit my CV and wait to see if I was given an interview, finally I had an interview with the Team Manager and Team Co-ordinator.

Tell us more about the training?
The apprenticeship programme lasts for a year after which you get an NVQ in customer services. After the year I will be able to do internal exams within Covéa Insurance to help me progress in other areas of the company.

Why did you choose an apprenticeship with Covéa insurance?
Covéa Insurance is a a growing company and look to have a bright future. The job description on the apprenticeship website was well detailed and sold it to me almost immediately. Also Covéa Insurance are located in Reading town centre which was ideal as was only a 15 minute train journey!

How do you split your time between work and college?
I am at work most days. Once a month my point of referral from the college comes in to have a catch up to see how I am progressing. Since the 2nd of March I have been going to West Berkshire consortium, who are providing my NVQ, every Monday until my exam.

What does your day to day job involve?
I am in the Schemes and New Business team dealing with correspondence and queries from brokers. Sometimes I help out in other departments and being an apprentice, I also have training on certain things.

Finally, what has been the highlight of your experience so far?
I have enjoyed every moment so far, but my highlight was being involved in National Customer Service week and doing a little game of bingo with work and calls that came in, we did this as a department and everyone got involved.

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About Covéa Insurance

Covéa Insurance Plc is the UK underwriting business of leading French mutual insurance group Covéa (which includes the global reinsurer PartnerRe since July 2022). 

Covéa Insurance looks after the insurance needs of UK customers, across a range of product lines; delivering financial reassurance through its Standard & Poor’s ‘AA- stable’ rating, as a guaranteed subsidiary of Covéa.  

Covéa Insurance has a strong people and service ethos and holds ServiceMark accreditation with Distinction for its Personal Lines operation and its Commercial & HNW Claims teams, as well as Chartered Insurer status for its Commercial business. Covéa Insurance is signatory to the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter and the insurance Inclusivity Pledge and has been named one of the top 75 employers in West Yorkshire & the Humber. In 2022 Covéa Insurance was named Insurer of the Year at the British Claims Awards and Personal Lines Insurer of the Year at the Insurance Times Awards.