OCBC Ignite aims to double poly graduate intake

Only 3% of graduates join the financial sector full-time permanently.

OCBC launched a banking career programme which aims to equip 500 polytechnic students with business and tech-ready skills in the next three years.

The OCBC Ignite programme, designed in partnership with all five polytechnics in Singapore, aims to double the bank’s annual intake of fresh polytechnic graduates.

The government's Polytechnic Talent for Finance Scheme, administered by the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF), aims to significantly increase the number of polytechnic graduates entering permanent roles in the financial sector by 2025. 

Currently, only 3% of graduates join the financial sector in full-time permanent roles upon graduation.

The programme expands on the bank's existing 12-month tech internship programme with Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic students, which has seen over 70 students complete to date. 

The new programme offers an accelerated career pathway, including an internship during the final year of studies and a structured full-time apprenticeship after graduation. 

Participants will be appointed to the Assistant Manager rank at the end of the 18-month journey, compared to the usual three years, typically accorded to fresh university graduates.

“Under OCBC Ignite, there are two pathways that polytechnic students can choose from – Tech or Business. Regardless of pathway, they will undergo an internship with OCBC during the final year of their diploma programme to equip them with industry-relevant skillsets to be job-ready,” the press release said.

After graduating, and if selected, participants will join OCBC on a full-time basis. They will then undergo further training and mentoring through an apprenticeship in functions such as consumer banking, wholesale banking, technology, and operations. 

The duration of both the internship and the apprenticeship varies depending on the chosen pathway.

At the conclusion of the apprenticeship, participants will be fast-tracked to the rank of Assistant Manager, which is equivalent to roles typically offered to university graduates.