To help acclimate underwriter trainees to the industry, Argo Surety developed its own in-house training program. It’s primarily designed for first-time underwriters, but the industry-specific training can also be helpful for new hires with prior experience.
Finding good candidates for surety roles is a challenge
- Surety is a niche industry, often overlooked by job seekers because it’s rarely discussed in a university setting.
- Surety touches a lot of industries, many of which require vast technical expertise.
- Surety underwriting requires a diverse skill set – from financial literacy and resourcefulness to relationship management skills.
“We expect a lot from our underwriters, so it’s especially important to put them in positions to succeed,” says Amanda Weiss, VP, Distribution Strategy & Portfolio Management.
Learn more about Argo Surety’s innovative hiring approach that helps attract and retain talent.
Learning driven by senior leadership
The program typically involves underwriter trainees coming together for a six-week in-person, on-site bond school. Because of the pandemic, this year’s class was adapted to an at-home model:
- Individual reading
- Video training guides
- Virtual lessons from senior leaders
“A lot of this year’s training consisted of reading material on their own,” Weiss says. “But we developed videos on certain subjects to provide more color and had senior leaders go over individual sessions virtually.”
In addition to the video guides and virtual lessons, senior leaders held weekly calls to build rapport among the team and answer questions about the material.
Read on for a Q&A with a few recent Argo Surety underwriter trainees.
