The Pennsylvania Insurance Department will host a four-day academy for college students interested in pursuing careers in the insurance industry.

The NextGen Insurance Academy will be held from Aug. 1-4. Officials said that the goal of the academy is to provide students with a comprehensive overview of insurance and connect them with resources to help direct their career path. The curriculum will be presented by insurance professionals from all sectors of the industry, including government and regulatory agencies, private insurance companies and consumer advocates.

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The academy agenda includes classes such as “Roadmap – From Degree to Insurance Career,” “Careers with the State,” and a “Car-B-Que,” where students will observe a controlled car burning and examine ways to identify potential fraud. Industry panelists will cover a variety of topics and students will be offered opportunities such as a resume workshop and a capitol tour.

“The Insurance Department saw the need to connect young people with jobs in the insurance industry and created the Next Gen Insurance Academy to give college students an opportunity to examine more closely the various careers available within the industry,” Pennsylvania Acting Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys said in a news release. “The academy allows students the chance to network with industry professionals, learn more about career paths, and determine what direction they want to pursue.”

The academy will close on August 4 with a job fair. More than a dozen employers are expected at the event to offer opportunities for internships and full-time positions. Upon completion of the academy, participants will earn a Pennsylvania NextGen Insurance Academy Certificate.

The registration link is available at www.insurance.pa.gov/NextGen through July 22.

The academy itself is free. A continental breakfast and