Investing in workplace learning for long-term returns

As Africa’s largest bank by market capitalization, FirstRand is meeting the financial services industry’s need to embrace digital-first solutions head-on by investing in their most valuable asset: their people. “The world is changing, and we need more knowledgeable people,” explains Dudu Moloko, Group Head of Learning & Development at FirstRand. Key to the organization’s digital transformation strategy is an ambitious workplace initiative that makes learning a part of the company’s DNA. Udemy Business licenses are provided to employees as part of their onboarding process to ensure continuous learning is a cornerstone of the employee experience from the start.

Employees have embraced this opportunity enthusiastically. One team member, who began with just 15 minutes of learning each morning, now devotes nearly an hour daily to skill development. Another is leveraging Udemy courses on the go, while commuting and at the gym, to support her master’s degree work in computer auditing.

Beyond individual growth, the initiative delivers tangible business results as employees apply new knowledge to projects that drive innovation. The bank is seeing improvements across various departments as employees apply their skills to solve real business challenges in IT, AI, cybersecurity, and other technical priorities. The program is also building adaptability — which Dudu calls “learning agility,” or “learning how to learn” — within its workforce so that employees can continue to evolve as technology and market demands shift.

Most importantly, FirstRand recognizes that supporting employee development is about more than just meeting current business needs. “If you are not building a robust portfolio of skills, you will not be marketable,” Dudu says. By investing in its people, FirstRand is simultaneously securing its competitive edge and enhancing employees’ long-term career prospects.