It is not every workplace that brings in a real spaceman, or big shot US ice hockey goalie to give an inspirational talk to staff.

Then again its not every workplace that has 97 of its 113 employees involved in some form or learning or study. RenaissanceRe does.

Kelly Rego is the current star "pupil" at RenRe, having topped scored on the Island in her underwriting exam.

She is an example of the company's desire to inspire and encourage its employees to strive for constant personal improvement through learning and study.

Maureen Musum, a vice president of RenRe sums it up: "Our goal is to provide an environment of continuous learning for everyone, so that every staff member has the opportunity to develop to the highest potential."

Colleague Geraldine Kempe explained: "So many of our people are committed to some form of further development and RenRe as a company is committed to funding all these initiatives."

From the very top executives downwards there is a near 90 percent uptake in study courses of one form or another.

On occasion the learning ideal has brought leading speakers, including an astronaut and a champion ice hockey goalie, to the company offices on East Broadway to give inspiring talks.

"Every year, each employee is asked about their personal goals and the company works to help them achieve these," said Mrs. Kempe.

That could involve all manner of courses, accreditations and certifications. It might also entail an employee being away at a university to complete a business degree.

"There's a definite belief the more you push yourself and the more professional (achievements) you get along the way, the better you will become as an employee and part of the team," explained Mrs. Kempe.

RenRe has a 60/40 split between Bermudians and foreign workers. It not only assists its own, but reaches out to the wider community through sponsorship of deserving young Bermudians whether or not their career path is within the insurance sector or not.

This year the firm pledged college sponsorship to support Bermudian Attiya Talbot over the next four years as she studies to be a doctor at the Irish College of Surgeons.

It is not only the high number of people on study paths that makes RenRe stand out amongst its peers, the culture of sharing knowledge and finding a beneficial work/life balance is something that is important and is driven from the top down by CEO Neill Currie.

The office space is not sectioned up. The open plan approach is further enhanced with different 'team members' mixed around the office to encourage a cross-fertilisation of ideas. Staff are equally encouraged to share their ideas and to promote their own specialities, be it professionally-based or hobbies, that can help the company and their co-workers.

Director of Marketing Keil Gunther adds: "The company is trying to cultivate well-rounded individuals. People are not shuffled into little corners. There is no sectioning off. Because the offices are so open you feel that you want to be part of what is going on.

"There is a very collegial atmosphere, like a campus. Our offices are beside the water and people can go outside and sit by the waterside, or use the gym. There is lunch that is brought to the office, partly because we are quite out of town but also because it is good opportunity to stop for a break and have co-workers talking to one another."

Such a set-up encourages staff to come up with ideas and innovations and to have the confidence to express them to co-workers, according to Mrs. Kempe.

And Bermudian Kelly Rego is proof of the benefit such a supportive environment creates amongst employees. She has top scored on the Island in this year's underwriting exams.

She said: "Working and studying is always a challenge and can be a major hurdle in achieving one's goals. The support of an understanding employer is crucial.

"I am most grateful for the support of RenaissanceRe, who not only financed my studies, but provided time off for studying and, most importantly, encouraged me to aim high."