Sharjah Islamic Bank launches comprehensive programs for upgrading its Human Resources

In total, 24 training programs were organized internally within the Bank by utilising Training professionals working in the Bank and by applying 56 training programs in cooperation with external training centres. The Bank intends to apply an ambitious systematic training plan, through which it can organize more than 140 training programs throughout the year.

"These training programs will include different administrative sectors and those related to self development, Banking Accounts, Islamic Banking, Languages, Writing Skills, Preparing Reports in addition to those programs related to Quality and Customer Services and many other programs by which we can enhance our participants circle to include more than 2200 beneficiaries from all different branches, departments and sections of the Bank," commented Saeed Mohammad Al Amiri, Head of Human Resource Group in Sharjah Islamic Bank.

The current programs plan is in line with the Bank's plan to increase the number of its employees from 374 to 700 within the next three years. This increase in the number of staff aims at meeting the increasing demand of the Bank expected due to its continuous development especially with the increase of Islamic Banking Services.

The continuous development is one of the main objectives of the Bank. The Human Resources Programs have been upgraded in order to maintain Sharjah Islamic Bank's prominent position through its employees in addition to providing a distinguished working atmosphere that can attract professional staff.

"There is no doubt that that the Training & Localization Award that was accredited to the Bank recently By Accounts & Auditors Association in Abu Dhabi came as a clear proof of the Bank continuous commitment towards providing proper training to its employees," commented Mr. Amiri.

"It is our pleasure to be accredited again as a result of our continuous commitment towards our staff, as they are our most valuable resources. Training is considered to be a core and fundamental part of an employee's job and if we manage to combine this with adding more locals to the working force, then we feel that we are taking positive steps in order to achieve our vision," he further added.

The efforts come as an interpretation of the views of the Bank's Board of Directors aiming at occupying a prominent position amongst other Islamic Banks. The Bank has been the clear leader in emiratization, increasing its localization percentage from 38% to 45% within the last two years. This percentage is expected to increase to reach 50% during the year 2007.