Commercialbank Academy has launched the Graduate Development Programme at its spacious facility on the Salwa Road, an initiative that is aimed at boosting the talent and skills of those who join the premier bank and already part of it.   Commercialbank Managing Director Hussein Alfardan visited the academy yesterday along with Group CEO Andrew Stevens.  Alfardan and Stevens also addressed the graduates at a ceremony. The “unique” graduate programme has been developed by Commercialbank Academy for the “academic, youth community” in Qatar and the GCC. The three-year course has been designed to foster entrepreneurialism, promote the benefits of working in the financial industry and gain a solid understanding of the dynamics, structure and functions of a large organisation. The graduate programme already has some 12 graduates from leading universities in Qatar, GCC and beyond. “We are pleased to welcome two sponsored students and two existing staff members who join the programme today,” said Stevens at the launch of the programme yesterday. The programme curriculum shaped by the Commercialbank Academy will lay the foundation for the graduates to ensure they develop long term careers in the business or financial sector. “Developing human and intellectual capital across the Middle East is vital to future economic growth in the region and we want to play our part in this. Our investment is a commitment to develop talent not only in Qatar, but also across our neighbouring countries. And by creating a talent pool specifically for the financial industry, we are ensuring that Qatar’s position as a global financial hub is also strengthened,” Stevens said. He said Commercialbank Academy programmes were planned in partnership with a prestigious UK-based graduate development specialist, Dovesnest Group, and other specialists as well. Graduates of the programme will spend their initial weeks at Commercialbank’s new Training Academy, and later draw intense training from the College of North Atlantic-Qatar.   The programme will give participants a sound knowledge of the bank and technical know-how. It will also help to build communication, team and leadership skills. Upon completion, interested candidates will be enrolled into various professional courses such as the Future Leaders Programme, a 15-month programme run by the University of Cambridge in the UK – the world’s number one university. “As graduates of our programme, you will have an opportunity to complete rotations across all of the bank roles, working with some of the best professionals in the industry today.  We will find opportunities here in the bank for those of you who are exceptional performers,” Stevens said and urged the graduates to work hard. From gulf times.