Expanding the Foundation

Our education team often gets suggestions for new courses to develop. Over the years, we’ve gathered plenty of ideas waiting to be explored. But as a small team of two, we have to be selective about what our membership needs and what we can deliver. Last month we launched Property Foundations: Residential Risk, our latest addition to the lineup.

Getting Comfortable with Risk

This new program dives into key aspects of property insurance like Waterlines and Drains, Electrical Systems, and Solid Fuel Heaters. It’s accredited for four Technical Hours and aims to tackle the common challenges new brokers face when insuring residential properties. Following 2023’s Auto Foundations: SABS for PL & CL, this program is part of our expanding series of essential training modules. Brokers can take this program on their own, or as part of broader training initiatives led by brokerage managers and trainers.

Student-Centered Approach

We applied the same rigorous development process used in our previous programs, once again teaming up with Artha Learning and Jo Anne Mitchell, Owner-Consultant at Effective Training and Communication Plus. Interactive scenarios and real-world challenges help brokers hone their skills advising clients on risks and insurance needs. Our courses train brokers in authentic scenarios so they can confront complex client interactions with confidence. Whether they’re assessing risks or explaining insurance requirements, our training gives brokers the knowledge to offer informed guidance that builds trust and keeps clients satisfied.

Practical Takeaways

Our mission was to develop a program that can speak to the specifics and ensure students are able to easily follow the logic without any lingering questions about the topic. Drawing from my own experience as both a student and teacher, my goal was to ensure brokers gain practical skills they can use every day. For example, why does it matter if a solid fuel unit is certified or not certified? What type of units need certification and which ones don’t? Which ones have higher underwriting requirements? How can this be clearly explained to clients? These are common questions we want to provide a solid knowledge base for.

What’s Next

Our education strategy is all about offering accessible foundational courses on topics crucial for new brokers, and there’s more on the way. While developing these programs is a lot of work, it’s incredibly rewarding. If your brokerage wants to learn more about IBAO Foundations or suggest future topics, contact us at education@ibao.on.ca. We look forward to hearing from you!