Wendy Lucas-Bull, CEO of First National Bank (FNB)'s retail cluster, says: "I first heard of Cida from Zanele Mbeki (wife of President Thabo Mbeki), who described Cida CE Taddy Blecher as one of SA's gifts'."
The conversation prompted Lucas-Bull to visit Cida City Campus, where she immediately realised FNB and Cida had much in common.
"Cida is completely aligned with everything that drives the business of FNB," says Lucas-Bull. "It's value-driven, it's business-focused, it's sustainable and it's innovative in its approach. FNB is committed to education and innovation. We could see instantly it was right for us."
This year, FNB formally became a Cida Platinum partner, committing itself, not only financially, but also to several collaborative initiatives "which will help the students, Cida as an institution, and FNB realise the full potential of the partnership", says Lucas-Bull.
A brainstorming workshop, involving some initiatives being piloted by FNB, includes training students for temporary positions in call centres, branches and operational centres.
A second pilot group of 24 Cida students is being prepared for temporary employment during the December 2002 holidays.
The pilot approach will ensure the effectiveness of the training and deployment before it is implemented on a larger scale. More than 100 students a year are in line for holiday employment.
"We are identifying a pipeline of job opportunities for Cida graduates," says Lucas-Bull. "We can accommodate substantial numbers each year, from natural attrition."
FNB's branch structure is spread through the country, as are the communities Cida students come from, so they are well matched geographically.
Lucas-Bull says: "The benefits run two ways; Cida has the ability to add value to FNB. As business graduates, its students are exactly the sort of recruits we need."
FNB is working with Cida on a pioneering student loan programme to provide noncollateral-based loans to students whose parents are unable to sign suretyship. The loans will fund expenses and help to ensure they can afford food and accommodation.
Another benefit of the partnership for FNB is access to market intelligence and brainstorming of product ideas.
"Students can help us identify product possibilities and opportunities. Finding appropriate products and service features to take FNB deeper into communities is a challenge. And the students are ideally placed to do research that will help us."
Negotiations are under way to develop an FNB financial management and product curriculum for students.
"Cida class projects, based on small and medium businesses, will feed into an enhanced FNB programme to provide SME loans," says Lucas-Bull.
FNB will pay Cida for student services. Projects like this will be one of many that can bring in the necessary revenue streams to fund the campus.
A hefty donation of more than R100 000 of curriculum books has been made to Cida's library. FNB has also donated several best-selling personal finance books and tapes, along with other FNB-sponsored publications ranging from Clued up on Culture to Crafts SA. A section of Cida' s library has been dedicated to FNB.
"The future of SA is going to be built on education, moral values and the youth, specifically those with the drive to achieve their goals. We're extremely happy that we are able to contribute to that future," says Lucas-Bull.
