In October 2024, Banco FNB Moçambique, one of the country’s main banking institutions, and the MozYouth Foundation, which is dedicated to training young people and getting them into the labour market, formalised a strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the main aim of creating professional internship opportunities at FNB for 15 young graduates, giving them practical experience in the banking sector.
The internship programme will assign the young people to various FNB branches located in eight provinces: Maputo, Matola, Beira, Chimoio, Nampula, Nacala, Xai-Xai Maxixe and Tete. ‘The main mission is to make our contribution to training a new generation of professionals for the banking sector, providing trainees with practical experience in addition to the theoretical basis,’ explains Melba Jorge, Head of Human Capital at FNB Mozambique. ‘The aim is not only to strengthen young people’s skills, but also to improve their chances of entering the labour market,’ she adds.
Pedro Santos, managing director of the MozYouth Foundation, emphasised the importance of the partnership with the bank, which has been a founding member of the initiative since its inception, along with Hollard Mozambique and MozParks. ‘FNB opened its doors to 15 trainees and the return has been extraordinary. The idea is to provide real experience so that, at the end of the internship, the young people can be integrated into the labour market,’ he says. ‘The programme combines daily training with professional development modules, broadening the trainees’ networks and improving their employability prospects.’
‘FNB has a solid strategy that guarantees efficient management of the internship programme’
Comprehensive training with a focus on customer service and banking operations
The 15 trainees have been assigned to various areas within FNB’s branches, with an initial focus on counter work. Each trainee will be supervised by the unit manager, who has responsibility for monitoring progress and offering ongoing coaching and mentoring. ‘The trainees don’t hold fixed positions. The aim is for them to learn all the stages of customer service, from banking operations to administrative support,’ says Banco FNB Moçambique’s Human Capital Director. ‘This internship format allows young people to gain a practical understanding of essential banking functions. After this experience, the trainees will be able to apply for available positions at the bank, should opportunities arise. But even if they are not hired, the experience gained will be a significant differentiator for their future careers,’ she emphasised.
Structuring the FNB to Receive Trainees: Challenges and Achievements
The implementation of this internship programme represents an important milestone for the FNB. According to Melba Jorge, ‘it is a great responsibility to welcome these young people in the best possible way and our HR structure is now ready to take on this great challenge.’
With the creation of a team dedicated to talent management and skills development (L&D), the bank now has a solid strategy that guarantees efficient management of the internship programme. ‘We’re ready. The team is in place and we have the capacity to provide an authentic training experience for all the young people who join our teams and the FNB family,’ added Nhamitambo.
The internship programme not only benefits the young trainees, but also represents an important step towards strengthening HR in Mozambique. By investing in the training of new professionals, FNB is helping to build a qualified talent base. ‘Seeing young Mozambicans preparing for leadership positions in the banking sector is extremely gratifying, whether at FNB or other institutions,’ said Nhamitambo.
The collaboration between FNB Mozambique and the MozYouth Foundation is thus a ‘clear example of how the private sector can collaborate with social organisations to promote economic and social development in Mozambique’
By investing in the training of young professionals, FNB aims to actively contribute to strengthening skills in the banking sector, as well as to the sustainable economic development of Mozambique.
