For too long, insurance has been overlooked in favour of more “glamorous” careers, being often misunderstood and underestimated by young aspiring professionals. However, for the youth of today – digital natives with purpose-driven ambition and human-centred values – it offers a world of opportunity, diversity and deep personal growth.
“Insurance is not about paperwork and policies. It is about people and relationships. We protect dreams, enable resilience and empower businesses and individuals to thrive. And as any business leader knows, if you understand people, you understand business,” says Tovè Sithole, Head of Talent and Brand at iTOO Special Risks.
“That’s why we believe so strongly in recruiting young professionals who are not just technically skilled, but emotionally intelligent, collaborative and adaptable.”
Often referred to as “soft skills” – empathy, flexibility, curiosity, courage and Integrity – are essential life skills, and the insurance industry needs professionals who can walk in someone else’s shoes, see the bigger picture, and pivot confidently in a fast-changing world.
Young people no longer have to choose between their passion and a stable, future-proof career. Insurance bridges both. Whether someone is a quantity surveyor, engineer, marketer, lawyer, accountant or AI enthusiast, there’s a space for them:
- Actuaries build predictive models to assess risk and shape smarter coverage.
- Attorneys in insurance claims teams interpret legal frameworks and navigate litigation.
- Data scientists and analysts decode information to guide agile decision-making.
- PR and digital marketing professionals craft campaigns that build trust and brand engagement.
- Quantity surveyors and engineers apply technical knowledge in niche segments like renewable energy insurance.
- Finance experts and investment strategists ensure the sustainability of insurance as a business.
- IT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) professionals transform legacy systems, unlock operational efficiency, and future-proof the industry.
“It is no secret: the insurance sector is racing to catch up with the rapid technological evolution unfolding around us. At iTOO, we see AI and digital innovation not as threats but as transformative enablers,” says Sithole.
“Technical skills are no longer optional; they are competitive differentiators. The industry needs professionals who not only understand technology but can also use it meaningfully, interpret its outputs and drive value from it.
With the current global demand for tech-savvy professionals, these skills are scarce and sought after. Insurance, with its need for data integrity, process optimisation and predictive analytics, offers a powerful hook for young professionals ready to make their mark.
“We also believe in learning that never stops. At iTOO, we host weekly webinars – iTOO Tuesdays – to foster continuous professional development, covering everything from product insights to global trends. We invest in graduate programs, mentorship opportunities and immersive industry experiences such as IG International, where selected young professionals are exposed to leading global partners,” says Sithole.
“We often partner with institutions like the universities Wits and the University of Cape Town, or work with reinsurers like Swiss Re and Munich Re, to deliver cutting-edge, accredited and non-accredited learning pathways. And we constantly advocate for diversity – not just in demographics, but in thinking, language, neurodiversity and worldviews. Because richer perspectives lead to better solutions.”
However, notes Sithole, while many insurance providers continue to grow youth interest across the sector, some areas still lack emerging talent. Loss adjusting, for example, holds a wealth of institutional knowledge that is at risk of fading without young professionals entering the space.
“That is why we have invested in targeted learnerships in with law firms, loss adjusting practices, brokerages and other partner businesses – ensuring essential knowledge is passed on and preserved,” she explains.
Similarly, niche or highly specialised segments such as liability insurance, risk mitigation and reinsurance often need younger voices and fresh perspectives. Initiatives from the South African Insurance Association and others are working to close this gap through structured knowledge-sharing and mentorship programmes.
“Insurance is not where careers go to settle. It is where future leaders, changemakers and boundary-pushers build futures rooted in meaning, resilience and innovation. At iTOO, we see every new recruit as a contributor to that future, armed with empathy, intelligence and the courage to care,” Sithole concludes.