Recruitment News

Loss Adjusting comment

One of the main issues currently affecting Loss Adjusting practices recruiting for active claims and Loss Adjusting vacancies is the lack of relevant professional qualifications in the industry. Adjusters with the ACILA / FCILA designation tend to be reaching the twilight of their careers in the insurance industry and there is a dearth of new blood coming through the ranks to fill their shoes. This is a recognised problem within Loss Adjusting and has recently been highlighted in industry press such as Post and Insurance Times, with Angus Tucker, President of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusting, admitting that only 60 people had sat examinations set by the body in 2008. With such a yawning skills gap, Adjusting companies can find it difficult trying to secure suitable applicants for new job opportunities.

With warnings from Benedict Burke, CEO of Crawford & Co, that the Loss Adjusting industry was facing a “demographic time bomb”, CILA as well as the Adjusting practices themselves started to set initiatives in place to seriously address this issue. Recognising the problem of filling Loss Adjusting vacancies, the likes of Cunningham Lindsey, Teceris and the aforementioned Crawfords have implemented programmes to encourage the next generation of Adjusters and Claims Handlers to embark upon professional development and to gain relevant qualifications that will enhance their careers and help to fill the skills gap. These programmes can range from employing a training company to work with, tutor and encourage ambitious Loss Adjusters to undertake CILA examinations, to a five year course of being paired with and shadowing senior Adjuster to benefit from their experience whilst at the same pursuing chartered status. CILA themselves have also recently announced changes to the examination process to help improve standards across the industry. These include the introduction of a certificate and diploma level qualification which they hope will entice more candidates to take exams, as well as encouraging other professionals, such as surveyors and accountants, to become dual qualified thus bringing a more diverse skill base to the industry.

Whilst these improvements in training and access to professional qualifications will ensure that companies find it easier to recruit for Loss Adjusting jobs there remains the problem that many undergraduates do even consider a job within insurance and Loss Adjusting as a career choice. The profile of the profession needs to be raised to ensure that, at the grass roots level, bright and dynamic young professionals are attracted to choose Loss Adjusting as a viable option for long term progression.