Barclays hosts Learning Expo for employees

KGOMOTSO MOLELEKENG
Correspondent | Wednesday September 26, 2012 00:00

 

Through the programme, dubbed the internal Learning Management System (LMS), the bank provides employees with various platforms to learn about opportunities for studying and jobs, within the group's African operations.Speaking during her officiating speech, Barclays finance director Lipalesa Siwawa said that the expo was spearheaded to expose employees to new learning experiences and cultivate a culture of learning in the organisation.

'An event like this one provides an opportunity for self reflection in terms of one's own career and what steps one needs to put into place to ensure that they are well equipped for their current and future roles,' she said. Among the products under LMS is Safari Books On Line, which is a digital library of over 20 000 books accessible online as well as Barclays Book Club; it allows employees to share knowledge about books they choose to read, perfecting their English vocabulary and improving their general knowledge.

The programme also informs employees about career and study opportunities at different local and international Universities as well as job swaps, which render them an opportunity to exchange their role with a corresponding person in another African country. This exchange programme gives them a chance to gain and transfer knowledge and skills across the border.

At the Expo, there were different stalls that came to advertise their services, including Mascom, University of Botswana, and Institution of Development Management among others.

'This learning expo is intended to develop a culture of learning and make employees aware that learning can also be done even outside the classroom, virtually. We are impressed with the turnout so far,' said Upi Billy-Chikumba, head of learning leadership and talent.