By HARIZAH KAMEL / Pic By MUHD AMIN NAHARUL
BANK Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Bhd (Bank Rakyat) has selected 39 graduates to participate in its Professional Training and Education for Growing Entrepreneurs (Protégé) programme for the 2019 session.
Bank Rakyat MD Datuk Rosman Mohamed said under Protégé, 100 bachelor’s degree and diploma holders will be trained as financial advisor apprentices in the banking industry and excellent graduates will be recruited to be a part of Bank Rakyat’s succession planning.
“For 2019, we aim to take in 100 graduates and if they are good in terms of performance, we will employ them to specific positions within Bank Rakyat.
“We also focus on Sabah and Sarawak. We want to have around 20 to 30 graduates from those states in the programme,” he told reporters after making the announcement in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
He said the programme will focus on blending intensive entrepreneurial skills via classroom training and on-the-job training opportunities, offering practical skills and real-life experiences to build a strong foundation for a successful future.
“We are committed to educating and nurturing the new generation entering the workforce.
“We look for quality graduates above all, we have our process in terms of assessments, so that they can meet the minimum standard of Bank Rakyat,” he added.
Among the 12-month programme’s requirements include being active in co-curriculum activities and having a pleasant personality, integrity, good communication skills as well as analytical thinking skills.
Rosman also said the programme is a response to the government’s call to ensure that graduates, especially from local universities, are given resources and ample training to enable them to find jobs in the market.
Additionally, the initiative is in line with two of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals which are to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all, as well as promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Protégé is a collaboration between Bank Rakyat and Yayasan Bank Rakyat to continue the bank’s long-standing commitment towards growing the Malaysian talent pool.
The programme was designed to alleviate the unemployment rate among graduates and empower the spirit of entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation for unemployed graduates.
Formerly known as 1Malaysia Training Scheme, it was officially launched on Jan 28 this year and placed under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development to increase graduate marketability and employability.