The GAP Open Day was attended by close to 100 participants, including graduates from various local and international academic institutions. Also in attendance during the event were representatives from key departments such as Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, Risk Management, Compliance, and Internal Audit.

Mr Ti Eng Hui, CEO of Baiduri Bank, speaking on the programme said: “Through this programme, we strive to ensure that every apprentice is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to navigate and excel in their chosen field and achieve their professional goals.”

GAP is a 6-month holistic learning and development programme aimed at providing recent graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills and experience that will increase their employability in the local job market.

The programme consists of two main components: classroom training and job rotations within the Baiduri Bank Group.

Successful applicants will join the programme as graduate apprentices, embarking on a series of classroom learning activities where they will be introduced to the banking world and gain comprehensive knowledge of various financial products and services. They will also attend courses aimed at helping them acquire soft skills such as effective communication, project management, teamwork, and collaboration to enhance their overall work readiness.
 
These apprentices will then undergo on-the-job training in different departments within the Baiduri Bank Group, designed to offer them firsthand experience of the inner workings of a financial institution. At the same time, apprentices will also be able to contribute to the Bank’s many Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and join the various health and wellness activities in Baiduri Bank’s Employee Wellness Initiative (EWI).

One of the most notable highlights of the event was the Fireside Chats. These sessions offered a unique and personalised opportunity for participants to engage with the Programme Lead and current GAP apprentices who shared their journey as a graduate apprentice, from the selection process to their experiences within their respective departments.

The project lead for GAP Cycle 4 Open Day, Abdul Hadi Bin Haji Mohd Fadzillah, who studied accounting and finance at the University of Essex, commented on his experience within the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme. “Working on various projects and managing challenging tasks at my assigned department has pushed me beyond my comfort zone. Through hands-on experience and mentorship from senior officers and colleagues, I have improved my ability to communicate and manage time more effectively, which I believe will be beneficial for my career development.”