AS part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, under the theme ‘Looking After Life’, Guardian Life Limited has taken a significant step towards empowering the youth by entering the university space to promote financial literacy, share career opportunities, and demonstrate how investing in its products can lead to financial freedom and stability.

“In collaboration with The University of the West Indies (UWI), we are serving as the title sponsor for the orientation and first-semester period — a partnership set to span over six months,” noted Annette Atkinson, senior manager, group marketing and communications, Guardian Life Limited.

According to Atkinson, the initiative kicked off on Sunday, July 21 with participation in a parents and family orientation event during which they engaged over 1,200 families.

“Our team provided valuable insights into financial literacy; possible employment, recruitment, and career opportunities at Guardian Life Limited. Additionally, we showcased products that could help achieve financial stability, even within the university environment. This collaboration aims to deeply engage the student population, offering numerous opportunities for them to interact with our team in upcoming orientation and first-semester events. We have an exciting line-up of activities planned, including free career consultations from our HR and recruitment members, free consultations with our advisors, and even free health check-ups at select events.”

She said the holistic approach to engagement goes beyond financial education.

“We are dedicated to providing sessions and activities that promote both financial literacy and health and wellness. In fact, we are in the process of organising a fitness event to encourage physical engagement among students,” Atkinson added.

The driving force behind this initiative is Aaron Powell, marketing and communications officer at Guardian Life Limited who is also a master’s student pursuing a degree in marketing and data analytics. As a proud fellow Pelican, Powell has keenly identified the pressing need for experiential learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom setting.

He recognised the importance of financial literacy, the creation of a job funnel for university students, and the crucial awareness of financial freedom that Guardian Life can offer. His leadership and vision are instrumental in ensuring that Guardian Life’s efforts not only educate, but also empower students with the knowledge and tools they need for financial independence.

By targeting the student population at The UWI, Guardian Life aims to instil the importance of financial literacy from an early stage, setting them on a path toward a secure and prosperous future. This initiative reflects the insurance giant’s commitment to the community and its belief in the power of education and proactive financial planning.

“As we continue to engage with the students throughout the orientation and first-semester period, we look forward to a fruitful and impactful collaboration with [The] UWI, ultimately fostering a generation of financially savvy and health-conscious individuals,” Atkinson said.