Purbeck Insurance Services has launched an apprenticeship programme aimed at bringing new talent into the insurance profession. The programme will focus on developing skills in the niche area of personal guarantee insurance (PGI).
The move coincides with National Apprenticeship Week, which highlights the role of apprenticeships in helping sectors, such as insurance, tackle long-running talent and skills challenges.
Purbeck said it is entering the interview stage of the programme and expects to appoint up to two apprentices, who will join its business in April. Recruitment is set to run until mid-March.
Sector grapples with talent pipeline
The initiative comes as insurers, brokers and MGAs continue to compete with other parts of financial services and the wider economy for early‑career entrants, while also facing an ageing workforce and growing demand for data, technical and customer‑facing skills.
Apprenticeships have become an increasingly common tool for building a more diverse and sustainable talent pipeline, particularly among regional and specialist firms looking to offer an alternative to graduate schemes.
In Purbeck’s case, the focus is on building capability in PGI – a product area that sits between SME finance, credit risk and personal exposure for business owners and directors, and which requires a blend of technical, commercial and interpersonal skills.
Pathway into a long‑term insurance career
The new 18‑month programme will see apprentices study for the Level 3 Insurance Practitioner qualification, delivered in partnership with training provider BPP. Alongside their formal studies, apprentices will gain hands‑on experience across Purbeck’s operations, including exposure to underwriting support, claims handling and broker and customer service activity linked to PGI.
Nick Linacre, claims manager at Purbeck Insurance Services, said the scheme is designed to provide a clear route into the profession rather than a short‑term placement.
“Apprenticeships are a vital way of bringing new talent into insurance and give people a genuine opportunity to build a career in this sector," he said. "Our new programme is designed to give individuals the opportunity to develop confidence and gain real-world experience, ultimately welcoming them into Purbeck as valued members of the team.
Implications for the wider market
While the initial intake is small, the scheme reflects a broader trend of smaller and specialist firms using structured programmes to grow their own talent rather than relying solely on hiring experienced staff from the wider market.
For insurers and brokers, such initiatives can help deepen expertise in niche lines and may ultimately support service capacity and technical capability for intermediary partners and clients.
National Apprenticeship Week is intended to showcase examples of employers using apprenticeships to support long‑term skills development. Purbeck’s programme adds to that picture by illustrating how a specialist provider is seeking to build a pipeline of early‑career professionals in a relatively narrow but growing segment of the insurance market.
