Strategic Risk Solutions Initiates Collegiate Captive Scholar Program

Strategic Risk Solutions (SRS) has initiated a new program to expose undergraduate college students to learning opportunities in the captive insurance industry. Initially, the program will be focused on underwriting the cost for selected students to attend captive conferences to participate in educational sessions and meet captive industry professionals. The program is open to risk management, insurance, finance, and accounting majors.

SRS is launching a pilot of the program at the Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA) Annual Conference and has selected three individuals to participate in the program from universities where SRS currently has strong ties. They are as follows.

1. Christian Ferrara, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina
2. Marissa Cesa, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
3. R. Brent Musgrove, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia

"We are thrilled that we could work this out with VCIA and thank Rich Smith and the association for allowing our initial group of Collegiate Captive Scholars to attend VCIA without any charge. We hope to work out similar arrangements with other captive industry associations, both onshore and offshore, so ... many qualified and interested students can get exposure to our industry and the great career opportunities it offers," said Brady Young, CEO of SRS.

SRS will also be expanding its current internship program and college recruitment efforts and is hoping other firms in the captive industry, including insurers, third-party administrators, audit firms, investment managers, and actuaries, will do the same to show these students what great opportunities exist in the captive insurance industry.

Mr. Young added, "It's no secret that the insurance industry overall and the captive industry, in particular, is facing a shortfall in the talent needed to not only replace retiring staff but [also] support future growth plans. The battle for talent is real, and the captive industry needs to work together to do more to attract quality graduates."

Rich Smith, executive director of VCIA, commented, "We are thrilled to work with SRS and hopefully others in the industry in support of this initiative enabling college scholars to attend our conference this year and in the future. It is great to see new blood coming to the conference and entering the captive industry."