South Africa’s non-life insurance sector is facing a critical shortage of specialised skills, particularly in niche areas such as marine insurance underwriting, engineering insurance, agriculture crop insurance and non-motor loss adjusting.

More than 30% of skilled non-life insurance professionals are nearing retirement, according to the 2023 KPMG South African Insurance Industry Survey, exacerbating this growing skills gap.

The South African Insurance Association (SAIA), a representative body of the non-life insurance industry, has been aware of this challenge for several years. In addition to its other learning activities, SAIA is now in the second year of its Retiree Repurposing Programme (RRP) in collaboration with the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) and the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA).

This programme aims to help close the developing skills gap by pairing experienced retirees with emerging insurance professionals. This is to ensure that valuable expertise and the benefit of decades of experience of the retirees is passed on to the next generation of industry leaders.

Justin Ogle: From mentee to leader in marine insurance

One of the early participants in the programme is Justin Ogle, Head of Marine at CIB, who participated in the 2023 RRP cohort. His journey through the programme highlights its impact, benefiting not only the mentees but also the wider insurance industry.

For Justin, the RRP offered the chance to expand his knowledge in marine underwriting, specifically Commercial Hull, a complex line of insurance he had not previously explored.

“Steven’s mentorship pushed me to view insurance from a different perspective,” Justin said, referring to his mentor, Steven Forcey.

Having previously specialised in Cargo Underwriting, Justin sought to deepen his expertise in Commercial Hull. With Steven’s guidance, he developed not only technical know-how but also the confidence to apply these new insights to his daily responsibilities.

“The real challenge wasn’t just learning new material; it was putting that knowledge into practice and seeing the tangible benefits in my work.” This focus on practical application is one of the programme’s key strengths, blending theoretical learning with real-world implementation.

The skills and strategies Justin gained have been pivotal in his career transition. As competition in the insurance sector increases, particularly in specialised areas, he attributes his smooth move into a leadership role to the knowledge gained through his mentorship.

"We dedicated time to refining technical underwriting and portfolio management, both of which have been instrumental in my current role. The mentorship helped me apply those concepts within my work, leading to measurable improvements."

Beyond technical skills, the programme encourages a mindset of continuous learning. "No matter how much you think you know, there’s always more to learn. That’s crucial in an industry that’s evolving as rapidly as ours."

One of the programme’s most profound impact has been the ripple effect of mentorship. Inspired by his own experience, Justin has begun mentoring others within his organisation.

"I’ve become more proactive in training and guiding my team through practical mentorship and tailored learning platforms," he said. His personal growth has extended to his company, creating a culture of knowledge-sharing and upskilling, a key objective of the  programme.

A particularly significant moment in Justin’s journey was mastering the intricacies of Commercial Hull underwriting, a field he initially found challenging.

"I often reverted to Cargo Underwriting because it was my comfort zone, but Steven’s persistence helped me shift my approach, eventually leading to a breakthrough in Commercial Hull." This highlights the critical role of mentorship in pushing professionals to expand their capabilities in a structured and targeted way.

The Retiree Repurposing Programme tackles one of the biggest challenges in South Africa’s insurance sector: the loss of specialised expertise as experienced professionals retire. Without initiatives like this, crucial industry knowledge could be lost. By pairing seasoned retirees with younger professionals, the programme ensures that valuable skills are transferred to the next generation.

In its pilot phase, the programme focused on General Insurance, Marine, and Engineering, all areas where expertise is sorely needed. Participants like Justin have emerged not only with new technical skills but also with a renewed sense of leadership and purpose.

The success of the RRP demonstrates the critical importance of mentorship in an industry facing a skills shortage. The programme goes beyond technical knowledge transfer, cultivating leadership, digital literacy, and the soft skills that are crucial for long-term career success.

As Justin Ogle’s experience shows, this programme isn’t just a learning initiative, it’s a catalyst for career acceleration. "The support I received from SAIA, my fellow mentees, and my mentor was invaluable," he reflected. "This programme connects you with experts from across the insurance spectrum. I would recommend it to anyone looking to sharpen their skills or deepen their expertise in a specific area."

With the in-take of the 2024/5 RRP cohort  underway, South Africa’s insurance industry is well-positioned to develop a new generation of skilled professionals, securing its future as a resilient, innovative sector. Interested professionals and retirees are encouraged to connect with SAIA to learn how they can participate in shaping the future of insurance in South Africa.