A new insurance industry designation was launched by the San Francisco — based Society of Insurance Trainers and Educators earlier this year: The Insurance Training Professional. To earn an ITP designation, trainers must demonstrate insurance knowledge, evidence of training (through SITE's “Train the Trainer” program, for example), and have a minimum of five years experience as a trainer/educator in the insurance industry, says Lois Markovich, SITE executive director.

The new appellation also demands a strict adherence to SITE's code of ethics, a requirement which, according to Wes Porter, director of training, the American Institute for CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters) in Malvern, Pa., helps set the ITP apart as a professional designation. He adds that a designation like ITP helps to highlight the evolving role trainers and educators are playing in insurance organizations.

SITE has 700 members nationally. Most are employed by insurance companies and provide training and education within their own organizations, says Markovich. For more information go to www.insurancetrainers.org.