UWP to offer new insurance course
PLATTEVILLE- By 2011, the insurance industry will add over 11,000 new jobs according to the Wisconsin Foundation for Independent Colleges. In response to these job opportunities, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is offering a new course, Special Issues in Business (Insurance Principles and Practice), starting in spring 2009.
"The workforce (in insurance) is graying, particularly in this state. Forty percent of people in management positions will retire in the coming decade. We want to develop a pipeline of talented students and build an interest among college students and get them involved in insurance," said John Hammermeister, assistant professor of business and accounting and instructor of the course.
The course will cover the role of insurance in society, the benefits and problems of insurance, and consumer considerations. In addition, a series of guest speakers will discuss employment opportunities and present different perspectives on insurance issues.
Hammermeister stressed that insurance careers aren't only for business majors. The class is open to all majors because the insurance industry looks for people with varying talents.
David Fritz of TRICOR Inc. Insurance and Financial Services in Platteville helped Hammermeister start the course. Fritz is also on the UWP Business Advisory Board and the UWP Foundation Board. He has hired many UWP students as interns and has UWP graduates on his staff.
"The insurance industry is significantly broader in terms of employment opportunities than what most students understand. Careers in insurance range from insurance sales, underwriting, marketing, claims adjustments, occupational safety, finance and accounting, human resource management, construction and the list could continue ... The class will be a good thing for students to point to when interviewing with a prospective employer ... Wisconsin and our nation are blessed with several large insurance companies looking for talented individuals," stated Fritz.
Students may also be able to work toward a certification by taking the new course. The UWP Department of Business and Accounting is working with the UWP Department of Industrial Studies occupational safety program to create a certification program. The program would include a series of existing classes along with the new course.
"If students take a few classes in occupational safety, along with other insurance industry specializations, they will be a more marketable candidate when applying for internships or permanent positions," said Fritz.
Anyone wanting more information about the Special Issues in Business (Insurance Principles and Practice) course may contact Hammermeister at (608) 342-1463 or hammermeistj@uwplatt.edu.
Contact: John Hammermeister, assistant professor, business and accounting, (608) 342-1463, hammermeistj@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu
<< Home