Demonstrating its commitment to proactively help fresh graduates get a head start in their careers, Baiduri Bank held an open day for the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme (GAP) at their headquarters on Saturday afternoon, 15 October 2022.

Over 200 members of the public attended the event held to provide an opportunity for interested applicants to know more about the programme and speak to the alumni about their experiences.

The previous cycle of apprentices themselves, who recently concluded their time in the programme this month, took charge of organising the afternoon’s events and activities. There were also various talks and presentations held at Baiduri Community Space by apprentices who were attached to key functional areas such as Corporate Banking, Baiduri Capital and Group Information and Technology Division. They also shared their experience of the whole selection process. These presentations provided valuable insights on how potential applicants should prepare their applications and allowed the speakers to talk about their overall experience from being in the programme.

Earlier this year, 300 applications were received during the second cycle of the programme. After a rigorous selection process involving written assessments and interviews, the Bank welcomed 15 apprentices into the programme last April. Emphasising a more digital approach to recruitment, the selection process was entirely done virtually, and applicants were assessed through a video presentation to evaluate their creativity and readiness to step out of their comfort zones.

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 Group.

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 and its subsidiaries, designed to offer them first-hand 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.

At the end of the programme, apprentices may apply for any suitable vacancies within Baiduri Bank Group or pursue their careers with other organisations.

Also in attendance at the open day was Veronica Chong, Head of Group Human Resources and Administration, who held meet-and-greet sessions throughout the afternoon’s event. She also commented on how GAP is a strong testament to the Bank Group’s commitment to support recent graduates by helping them develop employability skills and a learning mindset.

She said: “I am very proud of our apprentices and what they have achieved so far in a short amount of time. They have clearly shown that they are capable of leading and organising large scale events like today, and this is exactly what the programme is designed to be. It offers a unique opportunity for recent graduates to gain valuable working experience and give them a firmer foothold in the job market.”

She also commented on how the apprentices come from diverse backgrounds to give fresh perspectives and ideas to the programme and how their skills can be enhanced to fit the financial industry when they join GAP.

She said: “The second cycle of apprentices come from a wide range of backgrounds, from Information Technology, Public Relations and Marketing to Geology. We are glad that the programme is able to nurture and develop their unique talents and skills, so they grow in their own ways while allowing us as an organisation to benefit from the diversity of perspectives.”

The programme is open to Bruneian citizens and permanent residents who have graduated in the last three years with a minimum qualification of a bachelor’s degree and with no prior work experience. Candidates also need to be well-rounded with diverse interests and talents and be willing to learn in a fast-paced environment.

Candidates interested in applying for the programme can send their latest resume as well as a copy of their highest education certificate to [email protected] with the subject “Graduate Apprenticeship Programme Cycle 3”. Applications are open from today, 17 October 2022, until the closing date of 6 November 2022.

For more details on the programme and career opportunities with Baiduri Bank Group, please follow the Bank Group on its social media channels or visit www.baiduri.com.