Committee Spotlight: Workforce Development Committee

The Workforce Development Committee’s mission is to work with state college programs to promote and develop new talent for the insurance industry. Robert Norberg, the committee’s chair, shares why he is passionate about getting the word out about the insurance industry to local communities.  

Robert Norberg

Chair of the Workforce Development Committee

• I think it’s getting the word out there to the community, to the young people, to the people who are starting careers, or even changing careers. Insurance impacts everyone and when insurance becomes a problem, the rest of the economy starts to have a problem as well. That’s the impact I want to get out there and I like talking to people and getting them excited about insurance as a valid career. 

What would you say to someone who is interested in being involved in the committee? 

• It’s building the bench as they used to say. When I worked for a retail company many years ago, they taught us that part of our job was to find our replacement. I think insurance agents need to do that as well. We’re building career paths for potential agents. All the folks that have been in it for years are “graying out,” and coming to that age where they want to retire. We have more jobs available in insurance-related careers than any other field right now, and this committee is all about spreading the good news about those opportunities. 

Can you share a specific example of something the committee has done or worked on and the impact it's had on independent agents? 

• When we started this committee, we only had a few members and state colleges involved. Now that we have been around a while, we’ve doubled the number of colleges we’re involved with. Also, we have two full-fledged, four-year risk management programs in the state. On the local level, it's being out in the community and working with everybody with a similar agenda, like CareerSource, or the local Chamber of Commerce. We've made some great strides over the years and we’re going to keep continuing to push.  

What are you most proud of the committee accomplishing this year? 

• I would say it’s probably the fact that we’ve brought so much more awareness to the industry at a statewide level. People now know that FAIA and the Workforce Development Committee are out there servicing their needs. There’s a lot that the college and communities asked for that we’ve been able to deliver and I’m so proud to be part of that.  

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be? 

• I could be a shark because I love the beach/ocean so much. I’m always moving, searching for new opportunities, and never stopping until the goal is achieved; sharks never stop moving or they might die.    

The Workforce Development Commitee’s charge is to develop, administer, and support FAIA's various work force programs in partnership with state colleges. 

If you want to get involved or volunteer with this task force, check out their webpage to learn more and email Melissa Weaver to get started.