OCBC Bank is implementing a comprehensive sustainability training initiative for its 30,000 employees as part of its “Future Smart” program. This initiative aims to cultivate a workforce equipped with expertise in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria and enhance the bank’s commitment to sustainable practices.
The Singapore-based institution has introduced a range of sustainability training modules designed to create a cadre of specialists focused on its sustainability objectives. Over the past two years, OCBC has established more than 50 new roles in areas including sustainable business development, product innovation, ESG assessment and reporting, community development, and environmental conservation.
The training program features over 20 modules, developed in collaboration with sustainability experts, covering both theoretical and practical aspects of the field. This educational initiative is accessible to all OCBC employees, including those stationed abroad.
This sustainability effort represents the second phase of the “Future Smart” program, which was initially launched in 2018 to ensure that employees possess the necessary skills to thrive in a technology-driven banking environment.
Jason Ho, Head of Group Human Resources at OCBC, emphasizes the need for adaptation in the workforce: “Significant changes are occurring in the job market, and roles that exist today may undergo substantial transformations or become obsolete in the near future. The OCBC Future Smart Program is designed to upskill and reskill all employees to remain relevant in the evolving landscape.”
While technological and digital competencies are crucial for future roles, Ho notes that skills related to sustainability, along with softer skills such as emotional and mental well-being, collaboration, adaptability, and critical thinking, are equally vital for developing a well-rounded workforce.