Two-Year Program Gives Students Hands-On Training and College Credits

Avondale School District Partners with Meemic Insurance Company to Offer Workforce Development Program for Students: Two-Year Program Gives Students Hands-On Training and College Credits

Avondale School District and Meemic Insurance Company today announced a new partnership to create the Avondale/Meemic Insurance Institute for high school students. This course is intended for students in grades 11 or 12 who are interested in a career in insurance. Classes will begin in the fall of 2017.

As part of the program, students will earn three industry certifications in areas including Property and Liability, Personal Insurance and Commercial Insurance. Enrollees will spend three days per week in the classroom and up to two days per week at Meemic’s headquarters, gaining hands-on experience and hearing directly from industry expert.

“This partnership will provide a powerful, hands-on, minds-on approach to learning skills for success covering all aspects of the insurance industry,” said Dr. James Schwarz, Superintendent of Avondale School District. “This is an industry that is in high employment demand, and we are committed to assist in filling necessary needs with a quality workforce that has the potential to earn competitive wages upon education completion and certification. This is a wonderful, unique opportunity, being the only program of its kind in southeastern Michigan. We appreciate the Meemic Insurance Company for their sponsorship, support, and provisions for curriculum, workplace learning and internships, to maximize success for our students. We are truly excited to contemplate the impact this will have on our students as well as the industry.”

The program is broken down into two years: the first year is dedicated to investments and insurance principles and the second year is devoted to personal insurance and commercial insurance. Student entering 11th or 12th grade with a GPA of 2.50 are welcome to apply for the Institute. Students who are not residents of the Avondale School District can also apply through the District’s Schools of Choice program. Upon completion of the course, students will receive nine free college credits from Olivet Collet, transferable to any college.

“This partnership is intended to inspire young people to explore a rapidly growing career segment,” said Brad Roeber, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Meemic Insurance Company. “Our people have an immense passion for our industry and for the educational community. The Avondale/Meemic Insurance Institute opens the door to share knowledge and shape the next generation of our industry.”

Over 40% of the local insurance workforce is within ten years of retiring which will leave a large gap for local companies that will need trained professionals to step up and fill these job openings. This program offers a solution by providing a workforce development opportunity for students while allowing them to explore the insurance industry through a partnership with Meemic Insurance Company.

About Meemic Insurance Company

Meemic Insurance Company (www.meemic.com) provides personal lines of insurance products exclusively to teachers and other educational employees in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. For more than 65 years, Meemic remains a Michigan-based, teacher-founded company and proud partner of the educational community.