(Winston-Salem, NC) – Forsyth Technical Community College (Forsyth Tech), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), and Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina (Goodwill) are announcing the launch of an insurance career pathway partnership with scholarship opportunities for diverse students.

According to Standard & Poor’s Global Market Intelligence, the percentage of nonwhite employees in the insurance workforce was 21.4 percent in 2019. A recent Agency Universe Study shows that while women drive the insurance industry with more than 60 percent of the workforce, they only occupy 19 percent of board sets and 12 percent of top positions.  


“This strategic partnership between Forsyth Tech and Blue Cross NC will equip people in our region for success in the insurance industry, including those who have been historically underrepresented in the industry,” said Dr. Alan Murdock, Senior VP of Economic and Workforce Development at Forsyth Tech. “The initiative is an extension of our decades-long workforce training relationship with Goodwill, which has impacted thousands of people seeking to enhance their skills and grow their career opportunities.”

The first cohort of the Forsyth Tech Pre-licensing Insurance Program will run from November 1 through December 9, offering pre-licensing education required by the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) to become an insurance licensee. Program courses will include Human Resource Development (HRD) Careers in Insurance, CRC Assessment, Life and Health Insurance, and Medicare Supplement Insurance. The program will provide students with direct connections to industry professionals and resources and will conclude with an HRD Job Search class and hiring event. Students must enroll no later than October 31, 2022.

Building a Diverse and Inclusive Talent Pipeline

As part of its ongoing efforts to diversify the insurance sales workforce, Blue Cross NC is offering scholarships to selected students in each cohort to cover the cost of courses, exams, and North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) fees. This collaboration with Forsyth Tech builds on the insurer’s long-term diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, which includes a strong focus on advancing the workforce through education and professional development to increase representation within diverse populations across the state.

“Improving the health of all North Carolinians means we must ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are woven into how we attract, serve and retain our members and engage with our communities,” said Roy Watson, Vice President of Group Segment and State Health Plan for Blue Cross NC. “Through this pipeline program and scholarship opportunity, we’re working to create an insurance salesforce that’s as diverse as our state, which will ultimately provide the opportunity for all North Carolinians to be healthier.”

Scholarships are available for those who meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Minorities
  • Women

Program Specifications

The NCDOI requires applicants to complete an approved and mandated pre-licensing education course to become a licensee. The Forsyth Tech Insurance Licensing Program offers approved, mandated, short-term pre-licensing courses online.

For Blue Cross NC scholarship recipients, the program takes six weeks to complete the required three pre-licensing courses and Human Resource Development (HRD) components. Students who do not receive scholarships can register for each pre-licensing course individually and will not be required to take the HRD courses.

All students enrolled in the program will receive networking and interviewing skills training, resumé prep, career readiness and job search assistance. Once students complete the program, they will be eligible to take the NCDOI insurance exams. Individuals who pass the exams will become insurance agents and will be qualified to sell insurance in the state of North Carolina.

To learn more about Forsyth Tech’s Pre-licensing Insurance Program, visit https://short.forsythtech.edu/Insurance or contact Michael Glontz, mglontz@forsythtech.edu, 336.757.3701 or Tempy Albright, talbright@goodwillnwnc.org, 336.724.3625 x 11328.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is committed to making health care better, simpler, and more affordable. We have been driving better health in North Carolina since 1933, working to tackle our communities’ greatest health challenges. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 4.2 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at www.bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

About Forsyth Technical Community College

Forsyth Technical Community College is a catalyst for equitable economic mobility, empowering lives and transforming communities. The college offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in over 200 programs of study, including programs that promote personal and professional development through non-credit courses and seminars, as well as customized training for business and industry. Forsyth Tech serves more than 35,000 students with approximately 1,500 full and part-time faculty and staff.  For additional information, visit www.forsythtech.edu and follow @ForsythTech on social media.

About Goodwill

Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has served the local community since 1926. Through the sale of donated items in its stores, Goodwill provides employment and training programs that help more than 30,000 people each year find jobs and reach financial stability. Goodwill operates 51 stores, 20 career centers, and numerous attended donation centers across a 31-county territory. For more information, visit goodwillnwnc.org and follow Goodwill on social media @GoodwillNWNC.

 

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