Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan has announced a new collaboration with Grand Rapids Community College (Michigan), in which the two institutions would collaborate to train health insurance brokers. The new program, which began enrolling students in the Fall 2021 semester, is totally funded by grants, allowing students to get free training.
- Apprenticeship: According to a recent release, the Health Insurance Agent Apprenticeship includes a 430-hour learning module and qualifies agents in Michigan. It also gives pupils practical experience.
- Collaboration: GRCC has collaborated with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to offer a health insurance agent apprenticeship program where students can learn basic business skills and get hands-on experience in the industry.
- Benefits: “Access and knowledge of employee benefits and insurance are pillars of a strong local economy,” said Jeff Connolly, senior vice president and president, West Michigan and Upper Peninsula at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “Our goal is to help the region build a qualified pool of licensed individuals who may begin to become agents within the next 14 to 24 months and even own their own agencies someday.”
- Compensations: According to a press statement from Blue Cross and GRCC, the program provides compensated on-the-job training and skill development. According to Erica Stamatoulakis, a representative for Blue Cross Blue Shield, expenses are entirely supported by grant funding, so students do not have to pay tuition for the seminars.
- The program: The apprenticeship is a 430-hour program that will provide you with a broad overview of the health-benefits business. According to GRCC spokesperson David Murray, it will take students around a year to complete. Students will take a state licensing exam after finishing the program and will be eligible to get an apprenticeship certificate from the US Department of Labor.