Career path: Will Woodman and Dawn Crowley: Part two

At insurer Strobes Ingliss Norton, Will's nervously anticipated ‘chat' with manager Nick Howard and training manager Ali Mathers does not turn out as expected. 

"I think we can all agree you had a few wobbles last year," Nick begins pleasantly. "But I'm probably going to have to admit you might yet turn out okay.

"But, look, you're a graduate and a bright guy," Nick continues. "You need to be thinking management sooner rather than later. So I'm asking Ali here" - he gestures to his right - "why you're still plodding away on your certificate modules." He makes a vaguely theatrical gesture of deference in Mathers' direction. Will has yet to utter a word.

"That's right," confirms the training manager, taking her cue. "We think you should forget about your certificate for now and concentrate on the diploma. You've already got 30 credits from IF1 and IF2. If you get started on P05 - which is the compulsory bit of the diploma - on the legal stuff, that gets you another 25 credits. Then maybe P93 (commercial property and business interruption). That should leave you needing only another 40 credits by the end of this year."

Will takes a breath. No coasting for him, then. Before he can respond, Mathers jumps in again: "And then by the end of next year we can start thinking about that advanced diploma."

"So this is what it feels like being fast-tracked," Will jokes weakly.

"We're investing in your future career," counters Nick. "You should be biting our hands off."

Meanwhile Dawn, who still hasn't been on the introduction to management course but has just completed IF9 and still cherishes the ambition of becoming a chartered broker, is about to receive an unexpected invitation from Bill Wescott, who she chatted with at the Christmas party.

Read part three in Post next week

Written by Ian Jerrum, Searchlight Insurance Training