Bridging the Skills Gap: QCTO Qualifications Transforming Insurance Education

Our recent participation in the Insurance Skills Indaba (ISI2025) hosted by INSETA reinforced the critical importance of upskilling across the South African insurance sector. The event highlighted how industry leaders are actively collaborating to address shared challenges and build practical solutions for the future. Through our QCTO qualifications, we're not only enhancing the industry's professional capabilities but also addressing the critical unemployment rate among young South Africans by creating accessible pathways into meaningful insurance careers.

A United Front for Industry Transformation

The conversations at ISI2025 confirmed what we've long observed—that the future of insurance depends on collaborative solutions to our shared challenges:

• Recognising Real-World Skills: Creating pathways that honour practical experience while providing formal recognition
• The Human Side of Compliance: Helping professionals navigate complex regulations without losing the human touch that builds client trust
• Embracing the Digital Revolution: Preparing our people to leverage AI and other technologies as tools that enhance rather than replace human judgement
• Putting Clients at the Centre: Nurturing advisors who truly understand that our industry exists to serve people, not just policies
• Advancing Financial Education: Addressing South Africa's financial literacy gap by educating citizens on the importance of securing their future and that of future generations through long-term investment planning

A standout insight from one participant noted that "disruption can't be responsive if it's not built on a strong foundation." This resonates strongly with our philosophy at Cornerstone Performance Solutions—building that essential foundation through quality education.

Our Qualification Pathway to Professional Excellence

With this mission in mind, we've developed our QCTO-accredited qualifications to address the real needs we see in the industry:

Currently Available Programmes:

Long-Term Insurance Advisor (NQF 5)

• SAQA ID: 105022
• Credits: 180
• Duration: 12 months

Investment Advisor (NQF 6)

• SAQA ID: 105021
• Credits: 213
• Duration: 12 months

Coming Soon:

Insurance Underwriter (NQF 5)

• SAQA ID: 117329
• Credits: 163
• Duration: 12 months

Insurance Claims Administrator (NQF 4)

• SAQA ID: 99668
• Credits: 131
• Duration: 12 months

The AI Difference: Learning That Adapts to You

Cornerstone Performance Solutions is at the forefront of innovation with AI-powered features, some already integrated into our established CPS Learn® platform, such as the AI coach functionality, and others coming soon. Through our AIccelerate initiative, we're seeing how personalised guidance can transform the learning experience. It's not about replacing human connection—it's about enhancing it.

The feedback from our industry partners tells us we're on the right track:

"The AI tool will be a game changer. The feedback it provides on how learners are thinking and where their challenges lie has the potential to transform our development process."

We couldn't agree more. When AI helps identify exactly where each learner needs support, we can focus human interaction where it matters most.

Developing Professionals, Not Just Technicians

Nothing makes us prouder than seeing our students develop not just technical knowledge, but true professional mindsets. Their feedback reminds us why we do what we do:

"This programme is helping me apply theoretical knowledge to my daily work with clients. I'm finding new ways to connect with customers and explain complex products in ways that actually make sense to them," shared one student who's on their way to becoming a Long-Term Insurance Advisor.

Another learner told us: "You need multifaceted skills that enhance your knowledge to meet your clients' needs, use industry resources, plus your passion for the profession to build your own brand within any insurance brand."

These insights show us that our students aren't just completing courses—they're embracing a professional identity.

Our People Make the Difference

Behind every successful student is our dedicated support team—professionals who are invested in each learner's journey. They're the ones answering questions at all hours, providing encouragement during challenging modules, and celebrating every milestone along the way.

As one of our facilitators recently noted:

"This group of participants is a pleasure to work with as they are committed to the programme and see this as a great opportunity to gain valuable experience and the qualifications necessary to be a competent professional financial advisor."

That mutual commitment between students and support team creates a virtuous cycle of learning and growth.

Building Tomorrow's Insurance Professionals Today

The insurance landscape is evolving faster than ever with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. That's why we're incorporating progressive topics like ESG principles, digital transformation, and truly customer-centric approaches into all our qualifications.

We believe in the future of the South African insurance industry and the professionals who will shape it. By combining rigorous QCTO-accredited qualifications with innovative AI-enhanced learning and passionate human support, we're helping to create a new generation of insurance professionals—ones who bring both technical excellence and genuine empathy to every client interaction.

The challenges are real, but so is the collective determination to overcome them. Together with our partners across the industry, we're committed to developing the skilled, adaptive workforce that will define the future of insurance in South Africa.