The COVID-19 pandemic has left the insurance industry’s longstanding talent crisis with new challenges—and fresh opportunities. Before the pandemic, carriers were concerned about a wave of baby boomer retirements and fierce competition with other industries for new talent.

While COVID loosened the labor market somewhat, it didn’t eliminate carriers’ ongoing need to find new ways to attract high-quality, diverse talent. Many companies increasingly recognize the value of a diverse workforce in fueling innovation and want to reflect the diversity of the customers they serve: 61 percent of North American respondents to a Deloitte insurance industry survey say they are focused on increasing the levels of diversity in hiring, development and leadership.