‘From a staffing perspective, our skills
development initiative has helped create a
learning culture, improved the skills of staff,
while providing staff with improved career
opportunities and options.’ – Absa
This year the IOB in South Africa, previously accredited as a
training provider by BANKSETA, was granted permission by the
South African Qualifications Authority to be the professional body
in the banking sector. The IOB has a renewed mandate to promote
education and training in the banking and finance profession,
encourage continuous professional development, and be a partner
in driving South Africa’s commitment to transforming the sector.
In addition, the South African Reserve Bank College offers a cadet
graduate programme, specialised learning programmes based on
the core functions of a central bank, workshops, seminars, and an
elective course in central banking for MBA students studying at the
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).
South Africa’s major banks have also invested in large
developmental centres aimed at training staff.
Investec Group spokesperson, Margaret Cerff, says that Investec’s
total spend on training South African employees amounted to about
R100 million in the period ending in March 2013. Cerff says the
bank has a Learning and Development Centre, which plays a critical
role in the development of its employees. It offers an induction
programme for new employees, bespoke learning programmes
in information technology, banking and finance, compliance, risk
management, leadership and diversity.
‘Investec’s vision, to ensure that we have a strong, diverse and
capable workforce that is dedicated to a common goal of servicing
our clients, is critical to the sustainability of our business. We thus
position development as possibly the most crucial aspect of our
people processes, and work exceptionally hard to continually build
an environment in which people can perform extraordinarily,’
says Cerff.
Nedbank says it invests nearly R350 million towards skills
development annually. The green-branded bank has a flagship
graduate development programme, academy programmes, and an
internal bursary scheme and other learning and developmental
programmes aimed at equipping staff with the skills required to
achieve full performance in their existing and future roles.
On the impact of its initiatives, Nedbank notes: ‘Through our
learning interventions, the bank has seen vital skills transfer with
competency enhancement, personal growth and long-term career
planning taking place among employees.
Also, the bank’s commitment to learning and skills development
Edition 8
Professional Development.indd 19
BANKER SA
19
2013/12/19 4:23 PM