TIA2020 apprentices revealed… with a twist
It began with 138 applications, 66 went through to the elimination rounds allowing the panel to identify the top 20 and now, the final apprentices for The Insurance Apprentice 2020 have been chosen and we have some seriously exciting news to share with you!
In a surprising twist of events, the judges have revealed that we will not only have eight apprentices, but a ninth contestant added to the mix, which is the peoples choice candidate, Kanchaal Mahabeer. Her social media campaign, and the way she promoted herself, as well as the industry as a whole, is something we have not seen before this helped her to get double the votes than what any of the other competitors could get, and that is why she is the peoples choice candidate.
The top 20 candidates uploaded one-minute videos in which they shared their message to the industry and to people outside the industry about why they are #staying in the insurance industry and why insurance is an #Industryofopportunities.
Voting started, and it was incredible to see how they promoted themselves on social media a total of 29 443 votes were received. The votes did not determine who the top nine would be but definitely contributed to making the final decision.
After considering all the elements, the panellists have chosen the final nine applicants who will grace the industry with their presence early next year, on series six of The Insurance Apprentice. They are:
1. Amogelang Kgaladi – Head of Corporate Actuarial at FirstRand Short-Term Insurance
2. JP Ellis – Legal Manager at Constantia Insurance
3. Kanchaal Mahabeer – Key Individual at Power Brokers & Financial Services (peoples choice)
4. Memory Zimba – Actuarial Manager at Centriq
5. Paballo Makupu – Property Underwriter and Innovation Consultant at Munich Re
6. Sebastian Reddy – Regional Personal Lines Service Consultant at Old Mutual Insure
7. Siphamandla Dube – Business Analyst at Hollard
8. Vicky Sebothoma – Assistant Broker at Aon Re Africa
9. Yaseen Essop – Commercial Underwriter at RBS Insurance Brokers
It should be noted that these candidates were highly regarded by the judges during the elimination round and as emphasised previously, the one-minute video exercise served to assist, and not determine, the judges final outcome in choosing between those candidates that were neck and neck after the elimination day round.
In preparation for filming week
“We look forward to filming the sixth series of The Insurance Apprentice early next year. For every episode, we have a #Superfan question once again, where someone stands a chance to win R20 000, sponsored by Constantia Insurance. You can also earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours for every episode you watch. Each episode will carry 1 CPD hour, ” said Rianet Whitehead, Editor of FAnews and Organiser of The Insurance Apprentice.
Filming will take place from 17 to 24 January 2020. The series will be aired early 2020 via the FAnews and The Insurance Apprentice websites, YouTube and Facebook.
In preparation for filming week, the nine apprentices will attend a coaching and image building session, sponsored by the Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences (GIFS). This mentor session will help the apprentices to achieve their ideal personal brand etc. The apprentices will also take part in camera training, to prepare them for filming week, and filming of Meet the Apprentices video, sponsored by Auto & General, in which they introduce themselves to the audience, added Whitehead.
Awesome prizes
The winner of The Insurance Apprentice wins a trip to Lloyds of London, sponsored by Lloyds of London, a R75 000 bursary, sponsored by Inseta, a R20 000 cash prize, sponsored by the Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences (GIFS), a R10 000 cash prize, sponsored by Tracker, a tech prize sponsored by Innosys, another tech type prize, sponsored by Genasys Technologies, and so much more!
The runner up wins a bursary from GIFS worth R27 500 and a prize sponsored by CIB. Third place will also receive a bursary from GIFS worth R27 500.
Each of the nine apprentices will also receive an R1 000 Uber voucher, sponsored by Discovery Insure.
Proud sponsors of #TIA2020
In showing support here are our #TIA2020 sponsors – thank you for your support and sponsorship: AC Develop, AIG, Aon South Africa, Auto & General, Bryte Insurance, CIB, Chubb, Constantia Insurance, Discovery Insure, Emerald, FNB Insurance Brokers, Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), Genasys Technologies, Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences (GIFS), Hollard, Innosys, Innovation Group, Inseta, Lloyds of London, Marsh, Old Mutual Insure, Santam, Sasria, SHA Risk Specialists and Tracker.
