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Insurance Labor Study Uncovers Difficult yet Optimistic Recruitment Environment

February 17, 2020

CHICAGO – The latest iteration of the Semi-Annual U.S. Insurance Labor Outlook Study, conducted by The Jacobson Group and Aon plc, found 92 percent of respondents intend to maintain or increase staff in the next 12 months.

“Recruitment difficulty is still increasing in the insurance industry, driven by continued low unemployment, mass retirements and job growth incited by modernization efforts,” says Gregory P. Jacobson, co-chief executive officer of Jacobson. Though revenue growth rates are slowing slightly in the industry, study participants still reported relatively high expectations. “Overall, insurers remain optimistic.”

Some of the study’s key findings include the following:

  • Seventy-seven percent of companies expect increased revenue growth, 2 points lower than six months ago. As in July 2019, 17 percent of companies expect flat revenue growth.
  • Most vacant positions are still moderately difficult to fill; nine of the 11 functions reported on increased in recruiting difficulty compared to one year ago. For the first time since the study began in July 2009, accounting met the condition for moderate difficulty.
  • In 2020, technology will be the function in which companies will be most likely to increase staff.
  • Automation will be the primary driver behind staff reductions in the next year, though only 8 percent of companies expect to reduce staff.
  • If the industry follows through on its plans, we will see a 0.77 percent increase in industry employment during the next 12 months, creating new jobs.

For more highlights and commentary, download the full results summary and the recorded webcast here.

The insurance labor outlook study has been conducted semi-annually for 11 years. Collecting revenue and hiring projections from carriers across all sectors of the industry, it provides a valuable look at the insurance labor market outlook and hiring trends.

The study’s next iteration will occur in July 2020. To be notified when it opens, follow this link.

About The Jacobson Group:

The Jacobson Group is the leading provider of talent to the insurance industry. For nearly 50 years, Jacobson has been connecting organizations with insurance professionals at all levels across all industry verticals. We provide an array of services including executive search, professional recruiting, temporary staffing and subject matter experts. Regardless of the need or situation, Jacobson is the insurance talent solution. Further information is available at jacobsononline.com.

About Aon:

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) is a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions. Our 50,000 colleagues in 120 countries empower results for clients by using proprietary data and analytics to deliver insights that reduce volatility and improve performance.

 

Contact:

The Jacobson Group

Whitney Stephens, Content Lead

+1 (312) 628-0376

[email protected]

 

Aon

Nadine Youssef, Director of Communications

+1 (312) 381-2329

[email protected]

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