Baiduri Bank announced the first batch of apprentices in its inaugural Graduate Apprenticeship Programme (GAP), at the Baiduri Community Space, Baiduri Bank Headquarters yesterday.

After going through an assessment process, the Bank has signed up 11 apprentices, who will begin their six-month programme with the Bank from 5 April.

Representing the Bank at the welcoming ceremony was Mr Ti Eng Hui, CEO of Baiduri Bank, and Veronica Chong, Head of Group Human Resources and Administration. Families of the apprentices were also present.

GAP is a 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.

In the following months, the apprentices will begin their 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.

Then, they will 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 same time, apprentices will also be able to contribute to the Bank’s many CSR initiatives, and join the various health and wellness activities in Baiduri Bank’s Employee Wellness Initiative.

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.

Durrah Nadheerah binti Idris, who graduated in 2019 with a master’s degree in Islamic Banking and Finance from Bangor University, said that she is looking forward to learning about the financial landscape in Brunei Darussalam.

She said: “This programme will allow me to really explore my interest in the banking and financial industry here, and hopefully one day contribute to the same industry.”

Meanwhile, Mohammad Afiq Ridhauddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, who graduated from Universiti Teknologi Brunei in 2018 with a degree in Information and Technology, said that he is especially interested in being rotated to the Bank’s Group Information and Technology Division.

He said: “I’m most looking forward to being attached to the technology division within the Bank, and I hope that this apprenticeship will help me build the foundation and knowledge necessary for me to begin my career in IT.”

In his opening remarks Mr Ti said: “GAP offers a unique opportunity for our recent graduates to gain valuable working experience and give them a firmer foothold in the job market. Through exposing them to a real-world working environment and helping them build transferable soft skills that they can apply in their future careers, we hope that GAP will play a role in creating an adaptable and skilled workforce that’s ready to take on any challenge in the future.”

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.