UOB to boost employees' digital skills to push design thinking and planning

United Overseas Bank (UOB) has unveiled the first phase of its Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) to strengthen the digital capabilities of Singapore employees.  Approximately 900 branch employees including service associates and assistant branch managers islandwide, will undergo the PCP to deepen their digital skills.Areas of improvement include design thinking, customer journey design, channel management as well as scenario analysis and planning.The PCP, which also covers digital marketing, social media engagement and data analytics, will be integrated into UOB's training programme, which seeks to equip all branch employees with technology-based skills required for future roles and responsibilities. Each course will be conducted through classroom learning, workshops and on-the-job training, taking between three and 12 months for employees to complete.The programme was developed in partnership with Workforce Singapore (WSG), the Monetary Authority of Singapore and The Institute of Banking and Finance. It is part of WSG's "Adapt and Grow" initiative to help mid-career professionals, managers, executives and technicians to remain relevant amidst the digital transformation occurring in the finance industry.According to Janet Young, head of group channels and digitalisation, branch employees were selected to undergo the PCP first as UOB's branches are often the first touch-point for its customers, and where face-to-face interactions occur.Jenny Wong, head of group human resources, added that the bank invested SG$20 million in training and development programmes for its employees last year.“The PCP complements our group-wide suite of training programmes aimed at deepening the digital capabilities and expertise of our colleagues. Given the influence of technology in shaping the lives and preferences of our customers, we must ensure our people are equipped with the relevant skillsets and agile mindsets for the future. With broader minds and more informed thinking, they will also find their roles more fulfilling through the value they see they create," Wong said.Read also:UOB outshines competition at Marketing Excellence Awards 2017UOB sheds positive light on ‘self-obsessed’ MillennialsUOB lauded for “fair and firm” stance following coffee shop sagaUOB releases statement to distance itself from coffee shop dramaUOB and KrisFlyer create hybrid account to lure MillennialsUOB revamps 27-year-old brand to appeal to women