The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), the Number One Bank in the UAE, signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council (ADTC) and Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS) to hire and train UAE nationals job seekers.
The three-party agreement launched Derasatee Programme 2010. Under it, ADTC nominated job seekers who have earned at least a high school degree to NBAD. The Bank interviewed and hired 30 job seekers.
The new hires would begin studying banking courses at EIBFS's institute toward a specialised Banking Diploma. The Bank and ADTC together share the expenses of educating the successful candidtates. Upon the completion of the programme, the new hires would begin working at the Bank.
In addition, NBAD will interview and hire 5 to 10 job seekers nominated by The National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority (TANMIA).
"NBAD is committed to the development of national talents. We participate and fully support all campaigns and events that will help the education, development and increased recruitment of Emirati nationals in the field of banking," said Mr. Ehab Anis Hassan, NBAD's Group Chief Human Resources Officer. "NBAD has become employer of choice because of the superior training programmes and career growth opportunities we offer to our staff."
The Derasatee is just one of the many NBAD programmes to increase opportunities for UAE nationals. NBAD's AFAQ, for instance, is a model programme in the market; under which NBAD hires UAE university graduates who then spend a year studying up-to-date subjects in banking and finance at the Bank's state-of-the-art NBAD Academy. In addition, they get on-the-job training during the year-long programme and receive full compensation.
Other NBAD programmes to help boost UAE nationals' career growth include the National Trainees Development (NTD), Sponsorship Student and Summer Training & Work Experience programmes.
"In addition to actively requiting the best and qualified UAE nationals, NBAD offers the best in class training programmes to provide for growth and advancement within the group," Mr. Hassan said. "Our goal goes beyond recruitment, we are committed to helping the Nationals develop a career with a NBAD and stay with us."
Last year, NBAD recruited 442 UAE nationals in 2009 increasing the number of UAE nationals working for the bank to 1046 staff, which constitutes 36% of the Bank's total workforce in the UAE compared with 30% by end of 2008. Emiratisation at high management level reached 50%.
NBAD has been recognized as a leader in its efforts in the contribution to the Emiratisation initiatives of the UAE Government. The bank has been awarded the HRG award in February 2009 by EIBFS and The Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council's Emiratiszation Award in June 2009. Michael H. Tomalin, the Group Chief Executive of NBAD, won the Best Emiratisation CEO Award in Banking Sector.
"We have developed and continue to fine-tune recruitment and internship programmes that help us find and train the best talents and we participate in a number of events to find and recruit ambitious job-seekers," Mr. Hassan said. "Our Emiratization efforts are based on long term plans to train, recruit, and develop the qualified UAE nationals to become leading professionals in the banking and financial industry, hence, contribute to the welfare and development of the country."
