XN000022-1979-06-04 — Page 2

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 1979

LOCAL BANKERS URGED TO STEP UP STAFF TRAINING

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THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, TODAY (MONDAY) URGED LOCAL BANKERS TO STEP UP PROPER TRAINING FOR THEIR STAFF TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE EXPANDING LOCAL BANKING INDUSTRY.

HE MADE THE APPEAL DURING A VISIT TO THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION'S STAFF TRAINING CENTRE AT WAYFOONG HOUSE IN TSIM SHA TSUI. HE WAS MET BY THE HEAD OF THE CENTRE, MR. NIGEL DUNNE AND MR. MICHAL BOND, THE BANK'S TRAINING MANAGER.

MR. HENDERSON SAID PROPERLY ORGANISED STAFF TRAINING IS PARTICULARLY ESSENTIAL WHEN LOCAL BANKS ARE FAST EXPANDING AND ARE PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.

THE NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS INCREASED FROM 74 TO 101 LAST YEAR, AND CONSEQUENTLY MORE TRAINED MANPOWER IS REQUIRED, HE ADDED.

MR. HENDERSON WAS GREATLY IMPRESSED WITH THE TRAINING FACILITIES AT THE WAYFOONG CENTRE.

THE CENTRE PROVIDES TRAINING FOR GENERAL AND SUPERVISORY STAFF AND RUNS A FULL TIME FIVE-DAY BASIC TRAINING COURSE FOR NEW RECRUITS AND IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES FOR TELLERS, CLERKS, STAFF OFFICERS AND BRANCH MANAGERS.

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TRAINING FACILITIES THERE INCLUDE SIX CLASSROOMS, AUDITORIUM, A VIDEO STUDIO, AN ADDING MACHINE PRACTICE ROOM, 26 COMPUTER TERMINALS AND A MODEL BANK.

THE CENTRE ALSO OPENS AT NIGHT FOR STAFF MEMBERS TO ATTEND THE INSTITUTE OF BANKERS' COURSES.

THE BANK ALSO RUNS ANOTHER TRAINING CENTRE FOR EXECUTIVES AT GAMMON HOUSE, HEADED BY MR. BOND, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEWLY APPOINTED BANKING TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL.

IT CATERS FOR TRAINING OF SENIOR STAFF AND NEWLY EMPLOYED EXECUTIVE TRAINEES.

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