ABSA LAUNCHES AMBITIOUS GRADUATE ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME

Absa Bank Tanzania Director of Finance, Obedi Laiser (second right), speaks to the press during the launch of Absa's graduate
engagement program in Dar es Salaam. Looking on from left are Absa Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations, Aron Luhanga, Director of People and Culture (HR), Patrick Foya and Empower Ltd; Marketing and Communications Manager, Joanna Mallya.

Absa Bank Tanzania Limited has announced the launch of its “Leaders in the Making” Graduate Engagement Program, an ambitious leadership development
enterprise designed to foster the next generation of Absa leaders from a pool of recent university graduates.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Obedi Laiser, Director of Finance at Absa Bank Tanzania, said : “The aim of this programme is to take fresh university graduates, provide them with quality job opportunities and nurture the into becoming future corporate leaders who will have great impact in our organization and the banking industry in Tanzania.”

A twelve-month well-structured management trainee drill, “Leaders in the Making” targets those who graduated between 2020-2023.

The Absa executive added: “Our young generation faces a rapidly changing world and many challenges in finding work opportunities. And so, two of our top priorities are to help young people prepare for the working world of tomorrow and to offer them quality jobs that will bring their possibilities to life. Thus, this programme ensures that as a local bank and a good corporate citizen, we live up to our commitment of addressing youth unemployment and skills development for the country.”

The bank has been running a similar Graduate Trainee Program since 2013, which has proved to be a resounding success in producing local leaders who have since ascended the corporate ranks to occupy senior leadership positions within Absa and other financial institutions in the country.

For the 2023 edition, Absa has hired Empower Limited as the implementing partner.

The choice, according to Absa, is based on the bank’s trust on Empower’s expertise and commitment to youth development, their unique understanding of the labour market and the competencies of the future, and their close relationship with the country’s largest tertiary academic institutions, makes them the right partners for such an undertaking.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Patrick Foya, the Director of People Function, said: “This partnership will ensure that the programme remains relevant in this dynamic market and that it pushes the candidates to fulfill their optimum potential and be ready for future leadership roles in the corporate world.”

The Programme will offer participants a 12-month immersive learning experience featuring leadership exposure, digital master-classes, mentorship and coaching, innovation challenges, book clubs, 21st century skills workshops, a play-to-win retreat, research & market analysis, inspirational sessions, and practical exposure to various areas of the bank’s operations.

Upon completing the programme, Absa expects participants to possess comprehensive understanding of the corporate world and at the same time be well-equipped to assume leadership functions within the bank and beyond.

In addition to targeting candidates who have graduated from university between 2020-2023, the initiative is open to those to join Absa as soon as April 2023 and remain with the bank for the entire duration of the programme. Application for the programme is open and interested candidates can visit Empower website (accessible via www.empower.co.tz) and search for “Leaders in The Making” to apply before 26 February 2023.

In his concluding remarks, Laiser said: “I urged all fresh graduates to grab this opportunity with both hands and apply before the set deadline – the initiative promises an exciting and innovative career journey at Absa for all participants. Absa bank assures everyone that the recruitment process will be fair and transparent, owing to the bank’s commitment to being a force for good in the community.”