Bright future for young graduates

Three HSBC employees will successfully complete the bank's 2008 European Management Trainee programme this month.

The programme offers young graduates the opportunity of an exciting future, combining the benefits of working for a global bank with the rewards of delivering good service to customers.

Participants also develop experience working overseas during short-term placements. On successful completion of the programme, they are given their first managerial appointments with HSBC Malta.

Here is an overview of experiences, prepared by the three trainees who are due to complete the programme this month - Bonamy Mercieca, Mark Curmi and Karl Agius.

After three weeks of observation training in local HSBC branches and back offices, the three met early on a Sunday morning ready to fly to the UK to start their journey of experiences.

The programme started at the HSBC Management College in Bricketwood, northwest London. On their arrival, they met the other 32 trainees from all over Europe with whom they celebrated the launch of this initiative over a two-week intensive induction course called 'Welcome to HSBC'.

After the extraordinary induction, they headed to their first destinations...

Bonamy Mercieca, B. Comm (Hons), Master's in Business Administration: "I have always considered vision and passion as great assets to help me move forward in life. Just after I finished reading for my Master's, I came across an advert by the HSBC European Graduate Programme and, since working abroad has always been one of my aspirations, I believed this could be an ideal opportunity.

"Enthusiastic yet nervous, I headed to Edinburgh for my first assignment in the local HSBC flagship branch. My anxiety was soon gone thanks to a warm welcome from my new colleagues. During this placement I was exposed to the various personal financial banking and customer facing enquiries.

"This three-month placement passed in a flash; I moved to Madrid and experienced a three-month assignment in commercial banking. This initiative gave me a solid understanding of meeting business customers' needs.

"When the time came for me to return to Malta for the final placement, I had to quickly change plans after I received a call with an offer of a six-month placement in project management at the HSBC headquarters in Canary Wharf, London.

"I accepted the offer and soon started my adventure. I was involved in several projects and had good exposure with business partners in international countries. Being continuously thrown into the deep end, challenging tasks have been a beneficial and rewarding experience.

"After a year away from home, I returned and am now working with the project management team, enhancing my skills and experiencing the local business."

Karl Agius, B. Com, M.Sc Insurance and Risk Management (London): "After obtaining my university degree, my intentions were always to further my studies in the financial services sector.

"While searching the net for graduate programmes, I came across the HSBC advert and knew I could not let such an opportunity pass me by.

"I am a goal-directed individual and this programme has offered me challenges through two placements in Abu Dhabi and Leeds, which have helped me develop confidence.

"In Leeds, I gained a solid appreciation of commercial banking. I was given the freedom to tailor the placement to be able to get the most out of it. I also attended a number of client meetings which gave me a taste of managing relationships and negotiating.

"In Abu Dhabi, I was placed in a premier centre branch. This placement was characterised by a number of exciting projects which substantially boosted my knowledge. The projects varied from raising insurance awareness and sales to preparing the branch's back office for an internal audit. I was given a good level of empowerment and this helped me shape a solid managerial foundation within me.

"I am currently working within commercial banking and have developed a good range of transferable skills. I keep myself motivated and learn something new every day."

Mark Curmi, B. Com (Hons), Management: "Joining HSBC meant representing a worldwide institution, which also meant experiencing banking overseas... and what better way than through a tailored programme for Europeans?

"The programme kicked off with a seven-month placement, which started with training at HSBC's Management College in Bricketwood, UK. This was followed by a commercial banking placement in Madrid, Spain and another personal placement in London.

"I was then posted to the Small and Medium Enterprise commercial centre locally, where I have been handling a portfolio of commercial clientele.

"Apart from the obvious thrill of actually working overseas, I was lucky to experience various working cultures and practices. Networking with high-profile individuals, building an array of skills and being challenged to push my boundaries were a daily undertaking.

"But the programme focuses on developing bankers' competencies, which is imperative for a potentially successful banking career."

For more information, visit www.hsbc.com.mt/careers. Applications for the trainee programme close on June 30.