Seventy five UAE nationals from high schools, colleges and universities concluded a two-months summer training programme at HSBC. The students joined various departments at the Bank to gain experience at diffrent work roles during their summer vacation.
The programme, now in its 16th year, aims to give young people an insight into the work environment of the Bank and to encourage them to think about a career in banking. Cadets received extensive training on the Bank’s operations, services and products. Their performance was closely monitored and guidance was provided throughout the programme. As a reward for their efforts, their performance was evaluated and awards were presented to the talented trainees.
“We believe in the importance of training local talent for entrance into the workforce.
By providing practical training in a real-life environment, students are able to develop their skills, as well as gain practical experience in areas such as IT, marketing, accounting and customer service,” said Celia Daniels, Head of Human Resources, HSBC.
Suhaila Saeed, a summer trainee who was attached to the Regional Training Centre said: “The experience I have had is indescribable. I had the privilege of working for the world’s local bank and it has been an honour and a pleasure. Through this experience, I have learned patience and team work, and I have also developed my personality.”
As for Abdul Razak Ahmed, who has attended the programme for four consecutive years said: “I have learned to be more confident and my communication skills have improved. I have spent my summer holidays for the past four years at HSBC. Each year, I worked in a different department which helped me gain an insight of the banking business and in deciding my future career.”
Through HSBC’s Regional Training Centre, based in Dubai, the Bank offers leading edge training programmes specially designed for UAE nationals. In addition, future UAE national executives of the Bank are given the opportunity to attend HSBC Group’s Graduate Development Programme at the Group’s learning centre in the UK. Once on the job, a mentor is assigned for each UAE national for the first three years of their career with the Bank for coaching and counseling.
HSBC was a founder partner in Emiratisation.org, an association of managers launched recently, which supports the recruitment of UAE nationals in the private sector.
HSBC has received a number of awards for its success in attracting and developing UAE nationals in a banking career. The Bank has held several recruitment drives to provide young and experienced UAE nationals with the opportunity to learn about the Bank’s business, as well as a chance to meet managers and staff to consult on the opportunities available for a fulfilling career.
1. HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
HSBC is the largest and most widely represented international bank in the Middle East. HSBC Bank Middle East Limited has 29 branches throughout the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Autonomous Area, including an offshore banking unit in Bahrain. This extensive regional coverage is strengthened by another member of the HSBC Group HSBC Bank Egypt SAE, and by its associated companies, The Saudi British Bank and British Arab Commercial Bank Limited. In addition to its Middle Eastern network, the Bank has a representative office in Tehran, Iran.
2. HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited has been a principal member of the HSBC Group since 1959. Serving over 110 million customers worldwide, the HSBC Group has approximately 9,700 offices in 77 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$1,467 billion at 30 June 2005, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as ‘the world’s local bank’.
