HNB-SLIM launch graduate trainee programme

From left: HNB Manager Network Sales Shanaka Samarasinghe, HNB Assistant Vice President Business Development Samuddika Mendis, HNB Senior Vice President/Head of Network Business Supun Dias, HNB Senior Executive Vice President/COO Sanjay Wijemanne, SLIM President Gayan Perera, SLIM Chief Executive Officer Chamil Wickramasinghe, SLIM Business School and Southern Operations Manager Sadeepa Abeynayake and SLIC AGM Bancassurance, Alternate Distribution and Business Retention Roshan Collas

Reaffirming its commitment to developing future industry leaders, Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) partnered with the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) to introduce a graduate trainee programme designed to provide hands-on experience in sales and business development. 

This initiative offers students from SLIM’s Professional Certificate in Marketing and Certificate in Digital Marketing courses a unique opportunity to gain real-world exposure within Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank, bridging the gap between academic learning and corporate practice. 

The formal signing of the memorandum of understanding took place recently, at HNB Towers, marking a significant milestone in fostering industry-academic collaboration. Through this programme, the students will gain exposure to HNB’s sales operations and customer engagement strategies, enhancing their practical skills and employability. The participants will receive a fixed stipend along with performance-based incentives, providing financial support during their studies.

HNB Senior Executive Vice President/COO Sanjay Wijemanne said, “At HNB, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of professionals by providing them with the practical skills required for a successful career. This collaboration with the SLIM offers students a valuable opportunity to apply their marketing knowledge in a real-world sales environment, equipping them with the essential expertise in customer relations and business development.”

SLIM President Gayan Perera added, “This partnership exemplifies our commitment to enriching marketing education through real-world experiences. By collaborating with HNB, our students can apply their classroom learnings in a practical setting, thereby enhancing their employability and readiness to meet the industry demands.”

This collaboration underscores HNB’s dedication to fostering educational initiatives that contribute to the nation’s economic development.