NBK welcomes 14th batch of Al-Shabab trainees
KUWAIT: The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) welcomed the 14th batch of trainees in Al-Shabab Training Program. This intensive program is specifically designed to develop the skills of newly recruited diploma holding graduates. With 17 participants, the program extends over a period of six weeks aiming at developing and training national youth who recently graduated to attract them to the banking industry.
The program covers different aspects of the banking industry such as: banking principles, credit cards, loans, letters of guarantee, insurance, branches, and branch evaluation, in addition to building interpersonal skills, performance excellence, change and innovation, effective management and communication.
Al-Shabab Program trainees were welcomed by NBK executes led by Emad Ahmad AlAblani, Director of HR at NBK, Ghadeer Al-Awadhi, Local Branches Manager, and Abdullah Al-Jassim, Head of Recruitment Department.
Commenting on that occasion; Emad Al-Ablani stated that NBK commits to providing Kuwaiti nationals trainees and students with the practical expertise and professional training to equip them to work in the banking field, as part of NBK’s Corporate Social Commitment initiatives aimed towards the development of Kuwaiti youth.
He added that Al-Shabab program is unique and distinguished from any other training program offered by the bank. It mainly focuses on practical training method, as it involves the trainees from day one into intensive practical applications. He also highlighted that the Training Department adopts an “NBK Branch Simulation Model” in training the participants in order to hone their skills prior to their actual engagement with clients, which might be an intimidating experience to new staff members.
He pointed out that the program also contributes to the development and further refinement of the trainees’ interpersonal skill, as well as accelerating the enhancement of their self-development. He also noted that many of the program participants have felt the difference in the way of carrying on business and how they already acquired various personal skills within a period of just two weeks of joining the program, as per the testimony of their relatives and friends. This confirms the effectiveness of Al-Shabab program and the competence and efficiency of the staff in charge of managing NBK training programs, proving their ability to achieve such amazing results within a very short training period.
Ablani explained that Al-Shabab Program is part of the training programs annually launched by NBK to attract young national talents. The program has been prepared to suit the needs of the labor market by providing training opportunities for distinguished new graduates. It covers learning basic skills of the banking industry, building outstanding performance, change and innovation as well as knowledge of management and effective communication methods, which equip the trainees to directly join the work force.
He confirmed that NBK continues to develop AlShabab program, as each course is presented differently from the previous one; through the constant modification and development of the program based on the final evaluation of the latest course offered. NBK also listens to the trainees’ comments to avoid repeating those points in its next training session. The program currently runs its 14th session, and reached satisfactory progress in presenting matured course materials.
He also added that Al-Shabab program is a founding fundamental stage in the trainees training program, as it mainly focuses on training the participants to work in the bank’s branches. He explained that upon the successful completion of this program, trainees follow the same training course adopted for NBK employees. After the successful completion of Al-Shabab Program, participants join “Hala Watani” for three weeks to be familiarized with all NBK’s departments and how each department carries on its business.
Ablani said that NBK framework encourages all employees to successfully complete their education program to the highest levels possible. NBK has affiliated its promotional and financial incentives program with the certificates and courses that the employees attain, in order to ensure the continuous development of NBK staff.
The National Bank provides a number of training programs for graduates and students each year, in addition to specialized professional programs for its employees. The programs offered include the summer training program for students of schools, universities and institutes, and NBK Academy for Kuwaiti university graduates selected to work in the bank, besides a huge array of other programs developed by the Human Resources Group aimed at training and developing staff, as well as various professional development programs across NBK’s different groups and departments.