HDFC Life, a leading life insurer in India, has partnered with upGrad, a global skilling major, to launch a unique internship program called the “Insurance Fundamentals Program”. This program aims to provide certification in life insurance, as well as practical experience and a career pathway for participants. The program consists of a 3-week self-paced online course, followed by a four-month paid internship with HDFC Life for learners who complete the program and meet the internship selection criteria.
The program is designed for pre-final, final year students, fresh graduates, and career switchers with little to no prior finance experience. It will equip learners with a blend of hard and soft skills, including financial literacy, time value of money, interest calculation, risk assessment, and insurance terminology. The program will also cover regulatory compliance, Insurance Act, grievance redressal, and money laundering prevention.
The goal of the program is to provide internship opportunities for up to 2,000 eligible participants across HDFC Life’s branch network. According to Vibhash Naik, Chief Human Resources Officer at HDFC Life, the program is designed to provide domain knowledge and skills relevant to the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector. The program combines domain and industry knowledge with real-world exposure, offering participants the best of both worlds.
Anuj Vishwakarma, COO of Institutional Businesses & Certifications at upGrad, added that programs like this are essential for equipping youth with the right tools to succeed in the formal workforce. The partnership with HDFC Life will bring upGrad’s capability into the insurance ecosystem, providing learners with the opportunity to learn directly through on-the-job exposure.
The launch of the program aligns with a growing shift in how corporates are rethinking hiring, prioritizing outcome-driven skilling over conventional sourcing models. As the Indian life insurance industry works towards achieving the collective vision of “Insurance for All by 2047”, the need for customer-facing professionals will continue to surge. The BFSI sector has already overtaken Information Technology (IT) as the top recruiter in FY24, adding over 200,000 jobs.
Overall, the Insurance Fundamentals Program is a unique opportunity for learners to gain hands-on experience with one of India’s most respected life insurance companies, while improving their chances of landing full-time employment in the BFSI sector. The program’s focus on providing domain knowledge, skills, and real-world exposure makes it an attractive option for those looking to build a career in the insurance industry.