The Banco Sabadell Foundation, through the Bank’s Technological Skills Centre of Alicante (Centro de Competencias Tecnológico de Alicante, or CCTA), has spearheaded, alongside the Vice-Chancellor’s Office for Students and Employability of the University of Alicante, the third edition of the mentoring and talent management programme. This project, which kicked off on 22nd November, will allow 15 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students from the University of Alicante to be accompanied by 15 volunteers from the CCTA in tackling a challenge that will allow them to develop key skills for their professional future.

For four months, the students, with the help of technology professionals and, for the first time in this programme, specialists in operations in Alicante, will work on a technological challenge that will allow them to learn about different key roles, skills and competences. After the programme, the students who have participated in it will have more possibilities to access an external internship during the 2023-24 academic year.

The programme’s kick-off session was held in hybrid format at the facilities of the CCTA. Mireia Sempere, Deputy Director of the Higher Polytechnic School of the University of Alicante, Susana Soler, CCTA Director and Christian Cortes, IT Manager CCTA, were in attendance, as well as the mentors and mentees that took part in this edition of the programme.

“Being able to help, guide and contribute our experience to university students so that they can get a closer look at the real professional world is very important to us. This year’s mentoring programme will focus on improving accessibility to digital products and services for vulnerable groups, which will serve as a common thread to interact with students and thus improve their skills,” comments Miguel Angel Soriano, member of the CCTA and of Banco Sabadell’s demand methodology and project management team, who participates for the third time as a mentor in this programme.

During the session, mentees have highly valued the initiative and commented that it is an opportunity to gain actual professional experience, beyond what one can learn from formal education through books or the internet.

The promotion of this kind of programme is part of the Banco Sabadell Foundation’s commitment to drive forward educational programmes, with a particular focus on young talent. It is also enshrined in Sabadell’s Commitment to Sustainability, an ESG framework for action that seeks to integrate Banco Sabadell’s strategy into social, environmental and governance commitments. Specifically, it is aligned with the strategic pillar of working for a fairer and more cohesive society, with initiatives such as the promotion of corporate volunteering programmes and the boosting of talent, made possible especially through the activities of the Banco Sabadell Foundation.