Al-Watani Prepares a Generation of Kuwaiti Digital Talent
National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) launched the third cohort of its “NBK Technology Academy” program, reaffirming its steadfast commitment to investing in national human capital and continuing its efforts to attract, develop, and prepare young talents to keep pace with the demands of the digital economy and contribute to supporting the bank’s digital transformation journey and future growth.
The “NBK Technology Academy” is the first academy of its kind in Kuwait focused on digital technologies and data systems. It was specifically designed for recent graduates in technology-related fields to equip them with the technical and professional skills necessary to build successful career paths amid the rapidly evolving and dynamic technological landscape.
The program aligns with NBK’s vision of preparing a national workforce ready for the future and capable of keeping pace with rapid technological advancements. It achieves this through a comprehensive development experience that integrates specialized learning, practical training, real-world applications, and direct exposure to the work environment, thereby helping to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and labor market requirements.
Spanning six months, the program provides participants with intensive training covering a wide range of modern technical fields, including financial technology, data analytics, technology ethics, cybersecurity, fundamentals of digital payments, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, and programming. It also covers business and finance concepts for non-financial specialists, keeping pace with the rapid transformations reshaping the global banking sector.
The program also emphasizes the development of professional and soft skills that are essential for the success of young talents, including teamwork, team building, analytical thinking, project and change management, results orientation, communication and presentation skills, customer service, professional productivity, work ethics, and continuous learning.
Participants gain hands-on experience across various bank departments, offering them the opportunity to closely observe the nature of modern banking operations and learn about the latest digital applications used in the sector. This practical exposure helps enhance their professional readiness and enables them to translate academic knowledge into valuable, applied skills.
Commenting on the occasion, Abdulaziz Al-Khalid, Talent Management Officer at NBK, said: “NBK believes that investing in people is the most important and sustainable form of investment. Empowering Kuwaiti youth with future-oriented skills and experiences is a key pillar in sustaining our journey of success and innovation. From this perspective, the NBK Technology Academy continues to play its role as a specialized platform for preparing and qualifying recent graduates from technical fields, by providing them with a comprehensive blend of technical, professional, and commercial skills needed to succeed in a work environment characterized by rapid change and development.”
He further explained that the academy represents an advanced model of professional development that combines academic knowledge with practical application, offering participants a unique opportunity to learn and gain experience through direct exposure to the banking work environment and the technologies driving the future of the sector. It also contributes to building capabilities that foster innovative thinking, proficiency in modern technologies, and the ability to develop solutions that support the digital transformation journey.
Al-Khalid added, “The launch of the third cohort reflects the success of this distinctive program and the Bank’s continued commitment to investing in technology and developing young national talent, as these are among the key drivers of future growth. We are proud to contribute to preparing the next generation of Kuwaiti tech talent and empowering them to play an active role in supporting the Bank’s digital transformation and contributing to building a more innovative and sustainable future for the banking sector and the national economy.”
The “National Technology Academy” embodies “Al-Watani”’s commitment to developing the next generation of technical talent, while also reflecting its vision aimed at building a sustainable ecosystem of qualified national competencies capable of continuing to support the Bank’s digital transformation journey and enhancing its ability to achieve growth and leadership in the future.
