75 enrol in finance programme

SEVENTY five participants were enrolled in the fourth intake of the Financial Sector Talent Enrichment Programme (FSTEP) recently.

Of these participants, 36 were sponsored by various financial institutions under the pre-selected scheme that was announced in April, which enables financial institutions to select their own candidates into the programme.

The rest will be funded by the pro-gramame’s staff training fund.

FSTEP is a training programme driven by the financial services industry in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia, and is managed by Institut Bank-Bank Malaysia (IBBM).

The programme has since its inception, attracted high calibre graduates from local and foreign institutions of higher learning, as well as those working in the non-financial sector, who want to pursue careers in the financial services industry.

The one-year programme covers four core streams; conventional banking, investment banking, Islamic banking and insurance, and Takaful. Participants undergo a one-month intensive English course after which they have six months of classroom training. This is then followed by a five-month internship with financial institutions.

Upon graduation, the participants have the opportunity to be employed by the financial institution which sponsored them.

Participants will also undergo various personal development programmes as well as Outward Bound School activities to develop personal resilience, teamwork and leadership qualities.

FSTEP head Lee Khee Joo said that the support from financial institutions towards the programme was encouraging.

“We anticipate that more financial institutions will participate in the pre-selected scheme for future intakes,” he said.

Previously, participants were only recruited under the sponsorship of the programme’s staff training fund.

Source: thestar.com.my