Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 34
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CANADA’S TOP EMPLOYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (2026)
New grads find purpose at Ecclesiastical Insurance
W
hen Rania
Amir got the
news she
had been
selected for
the business associate program at
Ecclesiastical Insurance Office
plc out of school, the University of
Toronto graduate was in shock.
“I was over the moon,” says
Amir, who is one of five associates
in the program currently. “I
couldn’t process it.”
It’s not only about
business, it’s about
making a longlasting impact on the
community. It creates a
sense of purpose and
makes the work you do
worthwhile.
— Rania Amir
Business Associate
The program meant that,
upon graduating, Amir would
explore different areas of the
business over a hands-on,
three-year departmental rotation
while obtaining certifications
including the chartered insurance
professional designation.
After the program, associates
are placed into professional career
streams at the specialty insurance
company, which has its Canadian
headquarters in Toronto and
regional offices in Vancouver,
Calgary and Halifax.
It’s a unique way of building
a broader skill set, along with
a deeper understanding of
specializations in the insurance
realm.
“As a fresh grad, I didn’t
know where I wanted to focus,”
Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc extends full sponsorship for professional designations, like the Chartered
Insurance Professional designation.
says Amir. “This gives me the
opportunity to explore and decide
which area suits me best.”
Business associates spend four
to six months per department,
based on business needs and their
personal goals.
One and a half years in and two
rotations down, Amir says the
experience has been amazing.
“You’re always on your toes,” she
says. “The learning never stops —
they make you love learning.”
While departments have
different areas of focus — like
underwriting, risk management or
claims — they all share a common
thread in mentorship, Amir says.
Departments are welcoming and
colleagues are always available to
answer questions.
“I was pushed to grow,” she
says. “Not only professionally, but
personally.”
Openness is a pillar of the
Ecclesiastical culture, where
employees’ voices are encouraged
and given a platform through
regular manager one-on-ones,
monthly town hall meetings and
twice-yearly anonymous employee
surveys.
“It’s really important to be open
and transparent,” says CEO David
Huebel. “Everybody has a right to
speak.”
When Huebel got his start in
the insurance industry decades
ago, he was fortunate enough to
go through a training program.
Today, he’s proud to support
the next generation through the
business associate program.
“We want to invest in young
people,” says Huebel.
Associates work in areas
they enjoy, make meaningful
contributions to their respective
areas and bring different skill
sets. At the end of the program,
associates are interviewed to
assess where they want to be
placed.
“We’re trying to address their
needs,” Huebel says. “That’s really
important for people starting out
in their careers.”
Every final rotation at the
organization is a charity
placement so associates can get
an intimate understanding of
the giving work at Ecclesiastical,
which donates all available profits
to charities and good causes.
“It’s a really important part of
giving back,” says Huebel, “but
also for associates to learn what a
charity is going through.”
While the rotational program
caught Amir’s eye, the giving
structure spoke to her on a deeper
level. But even though she was
