Although Aon Corporation is known globally for its economic contributions, it has made a name for itself as a human-centered organization that strives to build strong communities. One way it achieves this goal of community building is by creating apprenticeship programs founded on an impressive learn-and-earn model, so that prospective college students can get a head-start on building successful corporate careers.
Suppose you live in the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States (US) and would like to build a career in reinsurance, health, or risk solutions without dealing with the cost of getting an education. In that case, an apprenticeship with Aon is the way to go. This guide will help you discover the best Aon apprenticeship programs for US candidates, their cohort details, salary structures, the hiring process, and reviews from former apprentices.
Aon is a multinational corporation that provides clients across 120 countries with professional services, including strategic advice and solutions that comprise commercial risk, retirement, data & analytic services, health, and reinsurance, so they can safeguard and grow their businesses.
Aon ptraces its origin as far back as 1922 when W. Clement founded what became the Combined Insurance Company of America. Combined Insurance Company of America, following a merger with Ryan Insurance Group, founded by Patrick Ryan, became Aon Corporation in 1987. By 1996 Aon joined the US Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
In 2008, Aon became the largest reinsurance firm in the world after a merger with the Benfield Group. By 2010, it took over the human capital consulting industry through a merger with Hewitt, a global provider of investment consulting services. Aon’s became an official sponsor of the Manchester United Football Club, a leading football club in the United Kingdom (UK) and relocated its headquarters to London.
Aon is a significant player in five industries: financial services, technology, healthcare, real estate, and infrastructure. It had over 66,000 colleagues globally as of 2016. As of January 2022, Macrotrends estimates Aon employees to be 50,000.
Aon Plc had its last fundraising round in 2021, raising $942.6 million in the first round, with Berkshire Hathaway being a major financier. Aon plc trades under the name (AON) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). It has seven investments and 14 acquisitions, with RPC Tyche being the most recent. By the close of 2021, Aon realized a $1.1 billion (10 percent) increase in its total revenue, resulting in $12.2 billion. In addition, organic revenue grew by 9 percent for the same period.
Aon’s purpose is to shape decisions for the better-to protect and enrich people's lives worldwide. It believes businesses thrive when the community they serve and the people they employ also flourish.
Five core principles guide Aon's business endeavors:
Aon serves its global market through its 106 locations worldwide. Aon’s products and services can be categorized into nine specialized areas comprising 27 solutions: Affinity Groups, Health, Diversity Solutions, Inpoint, Group, and Individual Insurance, Reinsurance, Risk Solutions, and Human Capital Solutions.
Aon's business model is founded on meeting the unfulfilled and unmet needs of its clients, employees, and communities in managing life’s uncertainties. Aon gives its clients the clarity and confidence they need to make better decisions by providing these clients with great advice and solutions.
Aon leverages the ever-increasing uncertainties of the global market and economic landscape, knowing that individuals and businesses will always need protection from an unpredictable world.
According to insights from Crunchbase, Aon has an impressive website tech stack base of 126 technologies, which includes Mobile Non-Scalable Content, LetsEncrypt, and Domain Not Resolving. In addition, it has two mobile apps in Google Play, 186 registered trademarks, 26 registered patents, and plans to spend $62.8 million more in 2022.
Stackshare adds that Aon uses three applications and data, including JQuery UI, Microsoft IIS, and .NET, four utilities, including Google Analytics, JQuery Mobile, and Mailgun, and Piwik. Aon also uses Hubspot.
Aon’s apprenticeship programs offer students without four-year degrees access to a lifelong career with Aon. Launched in the United States in 2017 with 26 cohorts, Aon’s professional services apprenticeship program nurtures previously overlooked talent to be future leaders of the organization and bridges the skills and training gap in the financial services and insurance industry.
Aon hopes that through its apprenticeships, it can groom future talents in financial analysis, account management, client support, information technology, and human resources. In addition, as a graduate of its apprenticeship program, you can look forward to an industry accreditation, an associate degree in business, and full-time employment at Aon.
Aon started its apprenticeship program in the US under the Chicago Apprentice Network, with two other founding companies—Accenture and Zurich North America—before it expanded to 75 companies across the US. As a US Department of Labor-certified apprenticeship ambassador, Aon's apprenticeship network comprises nine US community colleges, employers, and non-profit organizations across the United States.
Aon’s hosted its first apprenticeship programs with City Colleges of Chicago in the Chicago area. In 2021, it spread to community colleges in Minneapolis, Northern California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. It has over 1,000 apprenticeship positions in the Chicago area and has committed a $30 million five-year investment to reach 10,000 nationwide by 2030.
Aon apprenticeships run for two years, unlike Aon internships, a 10-week summer program for college seniors. During this period, you’ll split your time between a full-time college and a 40-hour workweek with Aon. As part of the program requirement, you’ll work 6-8 hours daily in a four-day work-week at Aon corporate office. You’ll also spend 3-6 hours a day at a partner community college.
Aon’s apprenticeship programs comprise five streams: account management, financial analysis, information technology, client support, and human resources. As an apprentice, your responsibilities include creating and updating reports, preparing client meetings, managing projects, and streamlining communications between colleagues.
You should also expect to build data entry, fundamental data analysis, fundamental risk management, networking, and process management skills.
Yes, Aon apprentices convert to full-time employees. Based on its learn, earn, and develop model, Aon plans to retain all its apprentices at the end of the apprenticeship program. Therefore, right from the start of your apprenticeship, you'll be entitled to full-time employee benefits, including permanent employee status, at the end of the two-year apprenticeship period.
Yes, Aon pays well. As an Aon apprentice, you'll receive a competitive salary subject to a periodic increment throughout your apprenticeship program. You’ll also have your tuition, fees, and books covered for the same period.
According to the 2022 salary review by Glassdoor, Aon apprentices earn a base pay of $52,477 annually, along with a bonus payment of $4,563 which covers stock, bonus, profit sharing, tips, and commission, totaling $57,040 each year as Aon apprenticeship salary.
Aon offers a wide range of impressive benefits to apprentices. Besides receiving a competitive Aon apprenticeship program salary, you're entitled to health insurance, life insurance, financial assistance for college education, paid time off, leadership training and employee development programs, non-profit and corporate networking opportunities, mentorships, perks, support from a designated career navigator appointed by a partner school, and other Aon employee benefits.
Aon Apprenticeship Hiring Process: How Many Rounds Is An Aon Interview?
The Aon apprenticeship application process is straightforward. Aon apprenticeship candidates should expect to complete two rounds of interviews. The Aon apprenticeship hiring process starts with an online application in February. Then, you can submit your application through jobs.aon.com before May. You may be required to include documents like a transcript and a high school diploma.
Once your application has been reviewed, you may be invited to complete a skills assessment. If successful, you'll move on to the first interview round, a 20-minute on-demand video interview with apprentice managers and Aon colleagues. Then, as part of your application requirement, you'll need to apply and be accepted into an Aon partner community college. If you succeed, you’ll be called for a final round of interviews in June, after which you may receive an offer letter.
Aon Apprenticeship Press: Where Can I Get News About Aon Apprenticeship Programs
You can get news about Aon’s apprenticeship programs from jobs.aon.com. This page contains information about US early career opportunities in Aon, including Aon’s launch programs, internships, and apprenticeships. You can also get news about Aon’s apprenticeship networks from Aon’s media room or by emailing support at apprenticeship@aon.com.
In 2017, when Aon launched its first apprenticeship program, it had a cohort of 26 apprentices. However, this number has since risen because, in 2021, it expanded the cohort to include more than 100 apprentices in areas such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, Philadelphia, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
Aon Apprenticeship Cohort Frequency: How Often Are Aon Apprenticeships Recruited?
Aon recruits new apprentices every year, and these recruits stay on for two years learning, earning, and building their industry leverage. The Aon apprenticeship usually starts in August of every new year with onboarding and background checks; after you've completed the application process and have been enrolled in a local partner community college.
Aon Apprenticeship Cohort Prediction: Who Should Apply?
Aon prioritizes strategic, confident, resilient, creative, bold, and curious candidates. There are no demands on the experience of applicants. In the past, some candidates who became apprentices came from odd jobs, like waiting tables at restaurants or working behind a pharmacy counter.
However, you should have completed high school to be selected for the US apprenticeship program. Applicants must also have a high school diploma or an equivalent, admission into an Aon partner community college, and a willingness to learn and schedule their coursework with their apprenticeship manager. In addition, to retain your apprenticeship status, you must maintain passing grades in your coursework, preferably grades not below C.
Aon Apprenticeship Cohort Blogs: Where Do I Get News About Aon Cohorts?
While there are no blogs for apprentices at Aon, you can get news about cohorts by attending the information sessions at a partner community college or Aon Webex. In addition, you should join the next Aon Apprenticeship Virtual Experience to gain insight into the program.
You should also visit Aon’s Early Career page to learn about the experiences of former apprentices. Occasionally, you may find news about Aon colleagues on Aon’s YouTube page or its On Aon Podcast.
Past apprentices like Susana and Víctor Gutiérrez revealed that an apprenticeship with Aon meant they didn't have to sacrifice family time. For Cammy Crocket, he could finally expand his professional network and explore several career opportunities. Theresa Barney added that the apprenticeship was intellectually stimulating for her.
Ashley Kranz stated that she enjoyed giving and receiving support from her colleagues, and Ed Richardson revealed that his biggest surprise was Aon's willingness to invest in his growth. According to Glassdoor, Aon has a 3.9 rating out of five stars. Eighty-one percent agree they can recommend the apprenticeship program to a friend, and 90 percent approve of the CEO.
When asked to give an Aon apprenticeship review, thousands of reviewers noted that Aon is an excellent place to work as it offers a good work/life balance, culture, ample career opportunities, a helpful team, flexible hours, and supportive managers. Few noted that their pay was poor. On Indeed, Aon had 3.7 out of five stars.
Actually, no, the Aon apprenticeship is a remote opportunity. As an Aon apprentice, you'll be expected to participate in full-time in-person training at an Aon office in the United States. In addition, based on its program structure, you'll also need to attend virtual and on-site classes at an accredited local community college.
As a prospective candidate, you should improve your communication, time management, and computer skills to increase your chances of being selected. You don’t have to be an expert; Aon will train you once you enroll. According to Glassdoor, you should expect questions about your interest in the program and the company, past job experience, leadership traits, and other behavioral questions.
The Aon launch program is an early career program designed to train the next generation of business leaders at Aon. Each year, Aon recruits talent from colleges around the US to participate in a 10-month developmental program in Chicago. This program usually starts with a three-day orientation, after which the hires can look forward to full-time opportunities across the organization.
