NDB builds learning platform for future generation

With an increasing number of millennials and Generation Y entering into the corporate world, companies have now started to rethink and create changes that would accommodate their perception of work.  
As corporates remodel their structures to help the transition of new recruits to the business world, National Development Bank PLC (NDB) has given emphasis to building an environment that fosters learning.
Speaking of NDB’s training culture Vice President Human Resources Ishani Senaweera said “We see that most institutes give less focus to self-development. But at NDB our aim is to build clear career paths with professional development through continuous learning for career and self-advancement.”
One key reason for companies to be successful is to have happier and productive employees. Rohan Manasseh - NDB Senior Manager–Training stated, “With the evolution of technology and globalization the younger generations are extremely robust and capable of stimulating the business world with their novel approach to work.  With a right direction, their creativity and innovative minds can be positively influenced towards building the economy. NDB in 2016 on average conducted over 100 programmes in - house and over 250 external programmes. A strong emphasis is given towards instilling NDB values amongst all our staff. Approximately over 92 percent of the staff has been trained during last year covering over 6.0 average training days per employee” 
At NDB, training is classified into three segments mainly local, in-house and foreign. Local training is where staff members are nominated for public programmes and seminars on a need basis to address specific training requirements. In house training is where customized programmes are conducted in-house or at an outside location exclusively for NDB staff members. These programmes are highly customized to suit the NDB values and cultures and at the same time to keep phase with the industry trends. Foreign training is where staff members are sent overseas on specific training requirements. NDB caters its training programmes at a very personal level where each participant is required to provide their feedback on the trainings attended and carry out an analysis of Training Needs for the year with the training manager.  
NDB sources the right resource personnel with ISO Certification and primarily through employee feedback obtained post external programmes attended, industry experts, reputed institutes, and cross references. NDB is also a Corporate Training Partner of CIMA with benefits of having access to a multi-purpose source of talent, cutting-edge management publications, events and training with networking opportunities. Special training on service excellence and communication have been provided to more than 60 percent of the branch staff along with other mandatory operational and work related training moderated by the Center for Banking Studies and Institute of Bankers Sri Lanka.

Over the years, NDB has provided more than 800 staff members with recognized banking qualifications fully sponsored by the Bank. Such as Diploma & Certification programmes conducted by IBSL, Charted Advisory Qualifications, Management programmes conducted by Postgraduate Institute of Management Alumni. The Bank also nominates the Senior Management for Leadership and Management programmes conducted by Oxford and Stanford Universities, NUS, Euro Money and NIBM.
Apart from the typical class room and workshop training methods NDB has a knowledge management system for staff to enhance self-learning which is ideally known as the “e-learning platform”. Staff has access to over thirty learning modules developed by internal resources on various subject areas. The Bank continuously thrives to build the mindset of Train the Trainer concept among each staff member attending a training programme to be able to train their colleagues and subordinates. This is also an encouragement given to staff to be able to share their knowledge of the lessons learnt. NDB also owns a state-of-the-art training center well equipped with modern amenities and is made available to all staff to attend trainings.