ShareKUWAIT: In line with its firm conviction that building a dynamic and agile workforce is pivotal for driving future business growth as well as promoting a sustainable economy, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) continues to actively participate in different local career fairs, the most recent of which was the “Watheefti Career Fair”, which is the biggest career fair in Kuwait. NBK has also made great strides throughout the year to establish a workforce that represents the communities, and build a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment driven by its corporate culture and core values.
Commenting on this, Emad Al-Ablani, GM – Group Human Resources at National Bank of Kuwait, said, “We are pleased to participate as the platinum sponsor in “Watheefti” the biggest career fair in Kuwait and a major event to attract Kuwaiti talents and professionals needed to sustain the bank’s growth and innovation.” “NBK is increasingly adopting a digital approach in attracting, evaluating and developing graduates, integrating new technologies, tools and thinking into this process. Through this, we are approaching this particular target group in a way that is relevant to their lifestyle,” he explained.
Al-Ablani went on to say that within its digital transformation plans, has automated many process including some steps of recruitment and on boarding process in cooperation with Talent Acquisition team. “At Group Human Resources, our strategic priorities are to build a bank that is always ready for the future through many tools and plans that are being implemented, including introducing a new comprehensive concept for workforce management in order to respond to customers’ changing needs and foster corporate culture among employees,” he noted.
On her part, Gadeer Al-Kooheji, Talent Acquisition Manager, Group Human Resources at National Bank of Kuwait said: “This year, NBK’s participation represents a unique experience making a difference in the concept of recruitment by making it more dynamic and suitable for the Millennials at our pavilion through NBK VirtuGate using Augmented Reality (AR) technology to provide an experience that fully simulates the work environment at NBK HQ.” “Our priorities are to maintain Kuwaitization rate, and pursue our commitment to expand in attracting and retaining local talent in a sustainable way, aligning with New Kuwait Vision 2035,” she mentioned.
“The physical, mental, and financial well-being of our workforce are key elements of a thriving work environment. In managing our workforce, NBK carefully builds our Group Human Resource Management system elements and organizational culture to acquire, develop, engage and retain talent, thereby promoting service excellence, as well as business resilience and agility,” she added.
AR technology at NBK’s booth.A revolution in the world of recruitment
During its participation in the fair, NBK presented a new concept that represents a revolution in the world of recruitment, as Group Human Resources employees at NBK’s Pavilion approached the participating youth and showed them an image simulating work environment at the bank’s HQ using Augmented Reality (AR) technology and 3D glasses.
This technology will take job applicants in a tour that perfectly simulates NBK’s work nature, and familiarize them with the various departments and divisions, work environment, as well as restaurants, fitness gym, and clinic. Technological advancement and digitization transformation in all operations and businesses are among NBK’s key strategies, so it always seeks to use cutting-edge technologies.
NBK introduced a new and innovative way to apply for a job by only scanning a QR code and filling out the information digitally, thus minimizing paperwork and submission of CV by hand to Group Human Resources. Reflecting its role as trailblazer of digital transformation in the Kuwaiti banking sector, NBK’s participation in this fair underscores its dedication to provide innovative digital solutions in the banking sector to ensuring a modern banking experience for all and deliver advanced, innovative banking services.
“More Than a Workplace”
Reflecting its firm belief that employees are its most valuable resource, NBK mainly focuses on supporting employees and improving their physical and mental health. In this context, and to foster a healthy work environment, NBK provides a fitness gym equipped with the latest exercise equipment, which is open for employees, before, after and even during working hours for their convenience, aligning with the bank’s initiatives to raise health awareness and promote a healthy lifestyle.
NBK also provides a variety of entertainment options at its HQ, as well as a well-equipped clinic managed by Wara Hospital, which provides medical checkups, tests, and on-site visits by specialized doctors, as well as frequent awareness sessions to raise employees’ awareness on various topics related to physical and mental health. Furthermore, NBK provides many programs and activities focusing on employee wellbeing and care, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. It also allows flexible working hours and paternity leave, during which the new father is allowed to stay at home to bond with the newborn child.
World-class work environment
NBK is one of the few Kuwaiti organizations that enjoy a unique workplace environment that is comparable to international peers by continuously providing exceptional career development opportunities to its employees. This includes training programs and practical experience, which aim to help them develop their skills and expertise to be qualified leaders of developing the banking sector in the future.
The bank also harnesses all its enormous capabilities towards developing its employees, and always seeks to unlock their creativity to go to the extra mile and achieve excellence, thus paving the way for employees’ career growth and taking on leadership positions in the future, as well as achieving outstanding results through perseverance and dedication. Moreover, NBK provides a work environment fostering cooperation and teamwork among all employees, which is always the main driver of the bank’s successes and high-quality banking services that is comparable to international peers.
Attracting national talent
NBK is an employer of choice that offers equal opportunities and embraces diversity in the workplace. In addition, NBK’s recruitment strategy is based on attracting, training and developing the young national cadres through the best-in-class programs to help them build a successful career that qualifies them to take on future leading roles in the bank. This makes NBK the private sector employer of choice for Kuwaiti fresh graduates. Given its leading position in the banking sector, NBK continues to attract high-caliber talent to join it.
It also stands out as the largest Kuwaiti private sector employer of national manpower, as well as having the highest retention rates of Kuwaiti employees. NBK not only provides job opportunities at a leading local and regional financial institution, but also a promising and sustainable career path. NBK also launched NBK Academy in 2008, which aims to pave the way for fresh Kuwaiti graduates to join the bank by providing them with an introductory program to qualify them for the banking business.
After joining NBK, new recruits take mandatory training courses designed to support the bank’s comprehensive strategy to foster digital mindset. All these endeavors reflect NBK’s firm belief in the importance of delivering on its CSR in attracting, recruiting and up skilling national talent in order to prepare qualified leaders for the future.
This is NBK’s mission and unshakable values maintained over long years. It is worth mentioning that NBK annually sponsors many career fairs for the Kuwaiti youth to introduce to them suitable job opportunities that meet their aspirations, reflecting its constant commitment to nurture the young national talent and qualify them for the labor market. The bank also provides consistent support to all career fairs that help the youth and fresh graduates in finding the right job.
