| A longstanding relationship between North America's largest MGA/wholesale insurance broker and a southeast Michigan all-business college has evolved into a partnership promoting employee training and skill-building. Farmington Hills -based Burns & Wilcox contracted with the Walsh College Division of Online Learning to develop a five-course online insurance curriculum to prepare Burns & Wilcox employees to sit for professional certification examinations. "We have built a web based, e-learning insurance studies program, said Alan Kaufman, chairman, president and CEO of Burns & Wilcox, which has 37 offices in 24 states and one office in London, England. The Kaufman Institute provides students the ability to access the course at their convenience during the week. The courses run 10 weeks and the students can complete assignments, and get feedback from the instructor at times convenient for them. In other words, they can continue to work and schedule "school" around their work requirements. The Kaufman Institute is unique in the insurance industry sector. It provides: 24/7 access to employees in all of our branches A broad array of course offerings and delivery methods An insurance specific focus Ability to track employee training and achievement Control and manage training costs. Walsh College President and CEO Stephanie Bergeron added, " The partnership illustrates how business, education, and technology can combine to bring out the best in working professionals," Currently, 25 Burns &Wilcox employees are taking the INS 21: "Principles of Insurance" pilot class online. The course filled to capacity within 30 minutes opening for enrollment and has a waiting list. Those who successfully complete INS21 will be eligible to sit for the American Institute of Certified Property Casualty Underwriter (AICPCU) certification exam. In addition to "Principles of Insurance", the curriculum includes INS 22, INS 23, and Certificate of Life Insurance courses ASLI 163 and ASLI 164. Those passing all the courses will be issued a certificate of completion. |