Standard Chartered Bank rewards national trainees

A packed graduation ceremony was held at the new auditorium of Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies in Sharjah, where the 50 UAE nationals, recruited by Standard Chartered Bank at the end of last year, were rewarded for successful completion of the two-month long intensive training course.

The new recruits will now undergo four months on-the-job training throughout the bank before being assigned positions.

Mohammed Abdulla Al Sayyah, Head of Administration, Gulf & Levant, and Emiratisation - UAE said: "This is an historic day for the graduates and for Standard Chartered Bank. They have been through two months of very hard work. Our recruitment process for nationals is tough, because we need the very best available. It requires strong commitment and a determination to learn.

"Nationals should also realise that once they are working in the bank they will be assessed as all other employees. They are judged on performance with no allowance made for their UAE nationality."

The 'Intelaq' programme will be repeated each year, in order to meet Standard Chartered Bank's quota ambitions, and in line with government policies.

The bank has set a target for all its department managers to be UAE nationals by 2005, so will concentrate recruitment on junior and middle management candidates who can be developed to take on additional responsibilities.

Humaid Al Qutami, General Manager, Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies, said: "In the last three months, the students have learned a lot, but we at the Institute have also learned a lot from them. We have to learn from each other, and share knowledge and skills."

The graduates represent all seven of the Emirates and hold all levels of qualification, from secondary school diplomas to degree holders. They were recruited following briefings carried out at UAE universities and Higher Colleges of Technology.

Al Sayyah further explained that Standard Chartered Bank also offers UAE national recruits the chance to be sponsored for further education. "We consider sponsoring our national workforce, on condition that once they complete their education they spend at least three years working for the bank, a key part of our investment.

Through the Intelaq programme, UAE nationals are encouraged to try their hands at a number of different aspects of banking, and SCB has adopted a number of measures to ensure the best possible career path is available to talented young Emiratis, willing to undertake training at the bank.

Ray Ferguson, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank UAE, said: "Intelaq is about making a change for the better - changing the way we employ people; changing the way we partnership with educational institutions and changing the way we partner with the government.

"There is a tangible sense of camaraderie, teamwork and friendship amongst you, our first Intelaq graduates. Intelaq is a journey. The first part of the journey is now over, but it's a long journey," added the CEO.

Ferguson thanked the EIBFS for the quality ands depth of the training provided.

SCB in the UAE aims to make all department managers UAE nationals by 2005, and has a 30% Emiratisation target for the end of 2003.

The bank's Emirati workforce currently comprises 26% of its total staff.

Standard Chartered Bank this year celebrates its 150th anniversary as an international institution. The bank has been operating in the UAE for 45 years.

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