UnionBank TECH LEAD: Building high-tech and high-touch talents

Multi-awarded Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) has expanded its graduate program, L.E.A.D. (Leader Executive Accelerated Development) by introducing TechLEAD – a program focused on developing technical talent to become leaders of tomorrow. 

The Bank’s initial LEAD Program, established in 2009, is a fast-track and accelerated curriculum designed to provide its management trainees or LEADs with a 6 to 7-year training and job experiences. The aim is to prepare and enable the individuals to contribute to UnionBank’s and their respective career goals. The course also equips the LEADs for the next significant step-up in the organization. 

The LEADs undergo a 24-month rotation within a specialization area to immerse them to end-to-end processes, i.e., front, middle, and back office to hone the trainees’ people-leading and people-managing skills. 

Being a leader in digital technology, it was inevitable that UnionBank’s LEAD Program advance to focus on innovation, data science, and other tech-related disciplines. This was an essential progression to fulfill the Bank's digital leadership pipeline needs, establishing a pool of specialists who can continue to support the Bank's transformation journey and capabilities. 

Tech LEADs will go through a 12-month development curriculum, exploring UnionBank's ways of working, its technical landscape and other I.T. processes. They will also have exposures to establish business skills and leadership foundation; required to pass industry certifications to set the framework for a successful career in technology. Currently, the Bank trains 79 LEADs. 

"We are developing future Data Scientists, Information Security Managers, Digital Delivery Leads and future Flow Masters, Software Developers, Cloud Engineers, and Architects who will eventually become DevSecOps Engineers, as well as UX and CX Designers. Furthermore, they will be going through fast-tracked learning pathways and taking industry certifications in preparation for expanded and enhanced jobs, as mentioned --all of which are essential to the Bank's sustained efforts of truly BEING digital," said Catherine Ann Santiago, UnionBank’s Technology Capability Lead – Human Resource Group.

UnionBank hopes that the students will develop a life-long learning habit and explore beyond the 12-month program. The Bank is also on a quest to educate more people about transforming their own organizations and cultures; so it is confident that sharing, teaching, and learning are all aspects of leadership. 

The Tech LEAD program looks forward to nurturing High-tech and High-touch talents who will pave the way to the next level future of banking and technology—taking the UnionBank path/road.