Following its announcement of the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme (GAP), Baiduri Bank held an Open Day at the atrium of its Headquarters today.

Some 150 members of the public attended the event, where recent graduates who were interested in applying for GAP got know more about the programme and spoke to various Baiduri Bank employees about working life in the banking industry. There was also a workshop for CV writing, and graduates were given interview tips to improve their personal branding.

Also in attendance was Ms Veronica Chong, Head of Group Human Resources and Administration, who held meet-and-greet sessions throughout the afternoon’s event.

Speaking about the event itself, Mr Ti Eng Hui, CEO of Baiduri Bank said: “The aim of GAP is to assist graduates to get a firm foothold in the job market, by exposing them to a real-world working environment and helping them build transferable soft skills that they can apply in their future careers.

“This Open Day is intended to give graduates who are interested in applying for the programme deeper insights of what it offers, and what the programme structure is like. They also have the chance to speak to our employees, some of whom are alumni of local universities, to get a glimpse into the work culture at Baiduri Bank.”

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

The Programme is divided into two main parts – a classroom component and job rotations within Baiduri Bank.

Successful applicants will join the Programme as ‘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 Bank, designed to offer them first-hand experience of the inner workings of a financial institution. At the end of the 6-month programme, apprentices may apply for any suitable vacancies within Baiduri Bank Group or pursue their careers with other organisations in the industry.

GAP is a strong testament to Baiduri Bank’s commitment to assist recent graduates by helping them to develop employability skills and a learning mindset. This is also in support of Goal 1 for Wawasan Brunei 2035, reflecting the national aspiration to be widely recognised for an educated, highly skilled and accomplished workforce.