US Department of Labor announces the launch of insurance apprenticeship program at The Hartford

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that The Hartford – a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds – welcomed the first cohort of apprentices to its newly launched insurance apprenticeship program at a ceremony in Hartford, Connecticut.

Part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s ApprenticeshipUSA program, The Hartford is partnering with the Connecticut Department of Labor, Arizona Department of Economic Security, Capital Community College in Hartford and Rio Salado College in metro Phoenix to offer an insurance-specific curriculum, paid on-the-job training and mentoring to help students gain the skills needed to work in The Hartford’s claims operation.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta and President Donald J. Trump are committed to increasing the number of quality apprenticeships, including expansion into high-growth, emerging sectors where apprenticeships have historically been rare.

“The Hartford apprenticeship program shows how business, educational institutions, and state and local government can work together to strengthen America’s workforce,” said Secretary Acosta. “The Hartford is among a growing number of companies that are unlocking the potential of apprenticeship, especially those in industries that have newly adopted it as a training model. These organizations are making others take notice, contributing to momentum that has far-reaching benefits for workers and businesses throughout the U.S. economy.”

The Hartford plans to bring aboard 200 apprentices by 2020. These apprentices will become eligible for full-time positions assisting customers in the company’s claims department after completing 61 credit hours of college coursework and 2,400 hours of paid, on-the-job-training at The Hartford claims center in Windsor, Connecticut or Phoenix.

“Attracting and developing talent to best serve our customers is a top priority for The Hartford,” said John Kinney, The Hartford’s chief claims officer. “In partnership with local community colleges, our apprenticeship program will help us recruit skilled claims professionals outside of the traditional college track, and students will gain education, training and a full-time position at a company where they can grow their career.”

Members of the department’s Office of Apprenticeship were on hand to applaud the apprentices; they were acknowledged for their assistance in helping to register the program by Connecticut Labor Commissioner Scott D. Jackson. Remarks at the event were made by Kinney, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, state Insurance Commissioner Katherine Wade, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Capital Community College President Dr. Wilfredo Nieves.

To learn more about the department’s efforts to expand and diversify apprenticeships, please visit https://www.dol.gov/featured/apprenticeship.

Editor’s Note: Updated to include information that Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Katherine Wade also offered remarks at the May 23, 2017 event.