«Theory and practice, brilliantly combined.»

Who are you and what do you do at Helvetia? How did you get where you are today?

I'm Alina Bleichenbacher, and I work in the cooperation between Raiffeisen and Helvetia in the area of individual life insurance. I trained as an insurance assistant. It was an 18-month course for school leavers combining practice with theory, covering various areas of insurance. I completed it in February 2018.

Can you tell us what your job is and explain what you do in just a few words?

We are there to support Raiffeisen employees and our own sales force. We process applications and answer questions for both parties.

What does &Go mean for you in your day-to-day work at Helvetia?

To me it means moving forward, improving ourselves and tackling things – and doing it afresh every day. We find more efficient, simpler avenues by sticking closely together and talking things through.

Why is &Go important and right for Helvetia?

We live in very unsettled times with major changes, we must adapt – and we are determined to actively shape the future. Customers want different things. We have a new generation of customers. We must make sure we keep up, not only with customers but also with our employees: youthful people who know what is important to them and what they expect from an employer.

What made you decide to train as an insurance assistant?

After leaving school I wanted to find a practical way to enter the world of work. The training to be an insurance assistant is not only practical, it also covers theoretical aspects. And that's what made it such a cool choice for me. I knew I wanted to work in business, and I couldn't make up my mind between banking and insurance. Eventually I decided on Helvetia because I found it very congenial and welcoming.

What was inspiring about your training?

It's very practical. I spent two or three days a month in the classroom: I did most of my learning on the job, so what I learned in class could be applied in practice straight away. I think this training is right for anybody who has had enough of going to school or college but prefers a blend of theory and practice.

What makes Helvetia a good employer for women?

Part-time work. I work three days a week as I'm also doing a training course in horse riding. Other people in my team work part-time too. I think part-time working is a big plus point at Helvetia, for mothers and fathers as well. Otherwise employees of both sexes appear to be treated equally.

What would you like for Helvetia in future?

I'd like the IT systems to be modernized so that I don't have to open six different systems every morning.