The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) continues to elevate its corporate learning program with the launch of ‘BPI University,’ as it aims to foster a stronger culture of learning and growth among its employees, solidifying its position as an employer of choice.
From L-R: Alex Seminiano, Chief Technology Officer; John-C Syquia, Institutional Banking Head; TG Limcaoco, President and CEO; Reverend Father Paolo Asprer; Gina Eala, Chief Human Resources Officer; Jojo Ocampo, Mass Retail Products Head; Tin Asis, Chief Risk Officer; Cathy Santamaria, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer; and Gene Mercado, Head of Enterprise Operations.
Demonstrating its consistent investment in employee learning and development, BPI recently introduced BPI University’s physical and digital platforms: the BPI U Training Center and BPI U On The Go. These facilities are designed to improve employees’ access to cutting-edge training tools and resources, with the BPI U Training Center equipped with combined 14 learning rooms, learning pods, and meeting rooms as dedicated areas for employee growth and skill development.
“In BPI, nothing makes us happier than seeing our employees building a productive, long-lasting career in the company. This is why we continuously strive to Do More by investing in our employees’ career development through the BPI University,” said Gina Eala, BPI Chief Human Resources Officer.
BPI U learning academies
The BPI U Training Center, located on the 20th and 21st floors of BPI Buendia Center, features 14 learning rooms, pods, and meeting rooms with state-of-the-art facilities.
The ‘BPI University’ has three learning academies, each offering structured learning programs to effectively promote a strong culture of learning.
First is the Functional Academy, which includes a set of programs designed to help employees develop and strengthen specific functional and technical competencies to enable them to perform their roles effectively.
Second is the Leadership Academy, also known as CHANGE Academy, which offers a range of courses and programs aimed at enabling incumbent managers to lead, inspire, and motivate their team members and the broader organization in line with BPI’s core values. It likewise offers Officership Training Programs for seasoned staff employees and promising fresh graduates.
Third is the Future Tech Academy, which features a series of programs focused on developing in-demand capabilities essential for future-proofing the organization.
Besides these learning academies, the BPI U Faculty Group—a community of employees who have interest in training their colleagues—also provides additional learning pathway by facilitating the exchange of expertise and best practices among employees in various areas relevant to their role.
As of June 2024, BPI has 21,438 employees. Of these, over 16,000 have already completed at least one learning activity, ranging from Mandatory Courses to Leadership and Technical Programs. The participation rate reflects BPI’s commitment to continuous professional development and fostering a culture of learning within the organization.
“The BPI University will keep evolving to meet the demands of the changing times. When employees can clearly see opportunities for personal and professional growth, they feel more satisfied in their roles and are more likely to stay with the organization. Improving our employees’ skills and training translates to quality service and contributes to the community, and BPI University makes this vision a reality for Unibankers,” Eala added.
The recent innovations in ‘BPI University’ are part of the bank’s commitment to Do More for its stakeholders as it marks its 173rd anniversary this year.