With Uganda's economy struggling and having to cope with ever-growing unemployment levels, even young people need to be ready to seize viable opportunities and work them out in order to survive these challenges.As such, NC Bank, the Ugandan subsidiary of Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed NIC Bank, in partnership with Junior Achievement Uganda recently organized a one-day event to give secondary school students hands-on job training at the bank’s premises.

An Employee of NC Bank shows students what takes place at work

The training, under the job shadow program, was held at the two branches of  NC Bank; Rwenzori Towers and Bugolobi. It was attended by 20 students (Achievers) from Seroma Christian High School and St Kizito Secondary School.During the exercise, students were allocated to different departments of the bank, where they were mentored by the bank’s different heads of departments. They were also given a chance to work as tellers, credit officers, retail managers, corporate affairs managers, among others.

According to Sam Ntulume, the managing director of NC Bank, the training which is part of the bank’s citizenship activity, is aimed at nurturing work-ready people and expose them to the actual working environment in the field.

NC Bank's managing director Sam Ntulume interacts with some of the secondary school students

“We would like to bridge the gap between the classroom theoretical knowledge and the real workplace challenges. Our aim is to instill ethical business practices, social responsibility and career mapping at a tender age,” he added

Addressing the students after the training, Ntulume urged the students to put the lessons learnt into action and learn the value of contributing to their communities and begin appreciating entrepreneurship as a key support to their academic excellence and individual economic emancipation,

Josephine Kaleebi, the CEO of Junior Achievement Uganda, encouraged the students to uphold values of integrity in their lives and future workplaces. “Endeavour to uphold the issues of integrity and personal values as you have experienced today at NC Bank and earn an honest living,” she added.

WHAT ACHIEVERS SAY

Vivian Iwunge (S5)– St Kizito Senior Secondary School

This experience was an eye-opener. I worked in the contact centre and my mentor was Jacinta Kiwanuka.  I have learnt the importance of being committed and working very hard to make any business successful. I also learnt the importance of setting priorities and following them.

Frank Byaruhanga (S6) - Seroma Christian High School

I had a chance to work with the Human Resource Manager NC Bank for the whole day. I saw how she cooperates with her staff and the bank’s clients. She has taught me that to run a successful business, you have to be trustworthy and keep company secrets, especially in departments such as accounting and finance.

Lynette Kabahenda (S3) -  Seroma Christian High School

I also learnt the importance of the boss being involved in the running of the business. In the near future, I see myself as an accountant in a bank or any other enterprise. I have got more knowledge about accounting from the interaction with the bankers.

Jacob Odong (S5) - St Kizito Senior Secondary School

I was exposed to the operations of a bank, including the financial systems. This training has showed me that lawyers are an important part in the operations of the bank because whatever is done by the bank should be compliant with concerned laws of the field. I want to become a lawyer and work in the the bank’s legal department.

Source * http://www.newvision.co.ug/