The Hartford School of Insurance has introduced a small commercial training program designed to educate new agency professionals on technical insurance and sales knowledge focused on the needs of a small business owner.

According to Rick Newell, vice president and head of small commercial sales at The Hartford, small businesses are a big segment with about 28 million small businesses in the United States.

Through a combination of self-paced and classroom learning, the Small Commercial School will provide agents a review of a business owners policy, auto and workers’ compensation policies, as well as demonstrate how to effectively position the best products and services for small business clients. Participants will develop an understanding of the needs of small business owners throughout the business lifecycle, whether an emerging business, growing company or a company in transition.

Marie Alvarado, assistant vice president of agent education and consulting, and head of The Hartford School of Insurance, said agents have expressed a need for a curriculum focused on small business.

Agents who participate in this program may be eligible for continuing education credit hours and the Small Business Coverage Specialist (SBCS) Designation.

The Hartford School of Insurance has trained more than 6,000 students to date.