RECRUITMENT OCBC BANK
Singapore - By offering students bond-free scholarships and jobs upon graduation, Jacinta Low, head of HR planning and employee communications at OCBC Bank believes this gives the organisation a competitive advantage in attracting young talent.
The bank gives out 17 bond-free scholarships a year in Singapore each year. And through this, Low feels the company is able to assess the scholars' "potential and fit" when they go through the stringent selection process of applying for the OCBC bond-free scholarship.
With summer internship programmes offered at the bank during their course of studies, scholars are also able to gain an understanding of the culture and working environment. At the same time, OCBC can see if the scholars' performance and attitude align with the company.
Low believes this also allows scholars to gain excellent working experience and build up a network of useful contacts to help in their career development. While scholars are given priority in job opportunities with OCBC, the bank "will take into account the individual's qualifications and experience to ensure his or her skill sets are relevant for the position".
Previously on a bond-free scholarship from OCBC, Tan Shiao Yi, executive of risk portfolio management and group risk management at OCBC Bank feels the bond-free scholarship eases the pressure of selecting the career path she wanted to embark on upon graduation. "I did not have to face the pressure of selecting modules just for the sake of satisfying the sponsor organisation, nor did I have to worry about the fulfillment of the bond upon graduation."
"I could focus on pursuing my interests and goals in the banking sector, especially being given the opportunity to experience first-hand the day-to-day operations of an established bank such as OCBC," says Tan.
While Tan feels the scholarship is beneficial for both the scholars and the bank, which is why the organisation receives 500 to 600 applications each year. While there may be greater expectations placed on its scholars to perform, Tan believes the higher expectations "will serve to be a good challenge for the scholars to push themselves to achieve and contribute to their fullest potential".
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