Marsh Captive Solutions has launched a programme aimed at increasing the number of Bermudians it employs on the Island and cutting the number of work permit holder staff in management positions.

The Captive Associate Programme is designed to attract those with an undergraduate degree who want to work towards an internationally-recognised accounting or insurance designation, while employed within the captive insurance industry.

Sarah Randall, human resources manager, said the company had created the new role of captive associate after restructuring to reduce the amount of hierarchy.

Ms. Randall said: "At present, most of our finance managers are here on work permits. Qualified Bermudians who recently have earned their undergraduate degree may find a number of opportunities here at Marsh.

"We are a solid company that wants to help employees progress. With the Captive Associate Programme, employees invest their time and we invest in them."

Ms Randall said the programme allowed Marsh to offer employment to candidates, particularly Bermudians with undergraduate degrees, giving participants the opportunity to acquire accounting or insurance skills while they work toward their designation.

"Ideally, by the time they have received their designation, they will be prepared to progress to a finance manager or insurance manager role," she added.

The full-time, paid position entails duties ranging from bookkeeping, to bank reconciliations, audit preparation, insurance transactions and meeting planning. The associates receive on-the-job training, mentoring and support as they work toward their designation. Marsh pays for the designation fees, including courses, books and exams. The captive associate's overall role is to support finance or insurance managers.

Since the programme inception, five captive associates have been hired at Marsh: Jennifer McDowell, Shakira Richardson and Carmen D'Urzo work with the accounting teams and Tanisha King and Samantha Botelho support the insurance teams. They join an additional six captive associates who were recruited internally from within Marsh.

Also as part of the restructuring, the company created an administrative associate's role for Bermudians who do not have a degree and are interested in getting into the captive management business. Sara Marini and Kyle Outerbridge have been hired in this capacity.

Bermudians who are studying accounting and interested in learning more about Marsh's co-op programme in Halifax should contact Kaela Keen at kaela.keen@marsh.com">kaela.keen@marsh.com. Bermudian graduates interested in learning more about the Captive Associate Programme should contact Sarah Randall at sarah.randall@marsh.com.