As South Africa continues to grapple with youth unemployment and widening skills shortages, exposing young people to diverse career opportunities has become increasingly important. While many learners are familiar with professions such as teaching, medicine or law, careers in insurance and financial services often remain overlooked despite offering significant opportunities for professional growth and meaningful contributions to the economy.
It is against this backdrop that the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA), in partnership with industry corporates held an Insurance Awareness Drive on 29 July at JM Ntsime High School in the North West. The initiative brough together Grade 11 and 12 learners from JM Ntsime High School, Tswaidi Secondary School and Itumeleng High School to introduce them to the breadth of career opportunities available within the insurance and broader financial services sector.
The programme formed part of ongoing industry efforts to strengthen career awareness among young South Africans while encouraging learners to pursue further education, skills development and professional qualifications that will prepare them for the evolving world of work.
Beyond introducing career pathways, the initiative seeks to demonstrate how the insurance sector contributes to economic resilience by protecting businesses, communities and livelihoods against unforeseen risks. As the industry continues to evolve through digital transformation, climate-related challenges and changing customer needs, there is growing demand for professionals with expertise in areas ranging from underwriting and claims management to actuarial science, risk management, data analytics, technology and customer experience.
Shyles Nkuna-Shai, Executive Manager: People Management at Sasria, believes that creating awareness at school level is essential to developing a more inclusive and sustainable pipeline of future professionals. “Many young people are simply unaware of the diverse opportunities that exist within the insurance industry. By engaging learners while they are still making important subject and career choices, we can broaden their understanding of the sector and demonstrate how education can open doors to meaningful careers. Developing future talent is not only important for the industry but also for South Africa’s long-term economic resilience.”
Education remains one of the most effective drivers of social and economic mobility. It enables individuals to access employment opportunities, strengthens communities and contributes to inclusive economic growth. Recognising this, Sasria continues to prioritise education and skills development within its broader corporate social investment strategy.
Approximately half of Sasria’s Corporate Social Investment allocation is directed towards education initiatives, while a further 28% supports skills development programmes. Together, these investments reflect the organisation’s long-term commitment to developing capabilities that align with national development priorities, with particular emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), which remain critical to strengthening South Africa’s financial services and infrastructure sectors.
As South Africa seeks to equip young people with the knowledge and skills required for a rapidly changing economy, collaboration between education, industry and professional bodies remains essential. By connecting learners with professionals and expanding awareness of career opportunities, initiatives such as the Insurance Awareness Drive help empower the next generation to make informed decisions about their futures while contributing to the development of a resilient and skilled financial services sector.
Sasria is an authorised FSP registered under license number 39117.
