Elevating Employee Development at Punjab National Bank: The Centre for Learning and Innovation

Punjab National Bank believes that continuous learning and development are the cornerstones of professional excellence and organizational success. To spearhead its commitment to fostering a culture of perpetual growth, PNB has established the Centre for Learning and Innovation (CLI), a dedicated division that drives all learning and development initiatives within the bank.

Centre for Learning and Innovation (CLI)

The CLI is at the heart of PNB’s training ecosystem, committed to empowering employees with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles. This department is tasked with designing, implementing, and overseeing all training programs to ensure they align with our strategic goals and the ever-evolving banking landscape.

The CLI has developed strong capabilities in training and development to build competencies across various verticals. Training programs cover functional and behavioral aspects, specialized programs, and leadership development initiatives to enhance both knowledge and management skills. These programs are delivered through 10 Advanced Learning Institutes and 10 Staff Training Centres across the country.

Vision and Mission

The Centre for Learning and Innovation has set its vision & mission in alignment with organizational objectives, with a specific focus on Learning & Knowledge enhancement.

Vision: To train people with an objective of knowledge and skill enhancement through Learning, Retention and Application.

Mission: Training as a Strategic Business Partner.

Functions of CLI

The CLI oversees the training needs of employees through various verticals, including Planning and Monitoring, Research and Development, E-Learning, and Analytics(New Division). The vertical is headed by General Manager - Learning and Development (GM-L&D) based at HO, assisted by a Divisional Head along with concerned section heads at CLI.

E-learning is facilitated through platforms such as Knowledge Centre and PNB UNIV, which house vital information on day-to-day banking activities pertaining to various job families with functionalities like `Gyankosh`, `Online Quizzes`, `DIGIHELP Booklet`, `Knowledge Repository`, `Digital Library` etc. These platforms can be accessed anytime, anywhere by employees.

Historical Milestones:

The visionary leadership of the Bank has always believed in providing an environment conducive to learning and development, reflected in the Bank’s in-house training system since 1954. The Staff Training Centre (STC) Delhi, formerly known as the Central Staff College, Delhi, has a rich history spanning over 70 years. The evolution of the Bank’s training system can be traced through the following timeline:

1. 1944: The idea for the Training Centre of the Bank was mooted in the annual general meeting of 1944.
2. 1954: During the year 1954, the Bank set up a Training college at the Head Office to impart training to staff in the latest techniques in banking.
3. 1973-74: Five zonal training centres were established at Kanpur, Calcutta, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Bombay.
4. 1987: The Staff Training College was upgraded to Central Staff College with a new building at the Underhill Road, Civil Lines, Delhi. The bank also set up three new training colleges at Panchkula, Lucknow and Ahmedabad.
5. 1989: The training infrastructure comprised a Central Staff College, 11 Zonal Training Centre and 1 RRB Training Centre.
6. 2020: The Training vertical comprised of 14 Staff Training Centres (STCs).
7. 2024: The Training System was revamped with the establishment of 10 new Advanced Learning Institutes (ALIs) to impart specialized training based on job families.

Advanced Learning Institutes (ALIs)

In 2024, PNB launched Advanced Learning Institutes (ALIs), a testament to its vision of developing specialized skill sets among its employees. These institutes are strategically established to provide job family-wise training, ensuring employees become specialists in their respective fields with profound expertise.

1. State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
   The ALIs boast state-of-the-art infrastructure, including smart classrooms, with the latest technology, nestled within serene, lush green environments that foster an optimal learning experience. These facilities are designed to create an atmosphere conducive to experiential learning and innovative thinking.
2. Expert Faculty and Research Integration
   The ALIs are staffed with expert faculty members who have been meticulously selected for their extensive knowledge and experience. To further enhance our training programs, each ALI has dedicated Research Officers. These officers conduct cutting-edge research to supplement our training systems and provide valuable insights and suggestions to other bank divisions, aiming to boost productivity and overall operational efficiency.
3. Job-family based Specialization
   Each ALI is dedicated to a specific job family, providing specialized training for bank employees at Scale 4 and above. All training related to a particular skill set within a job family will be conducted by the corresponding ALI. This makes ALI the centralized hub for innovation and expertise in its designated job family or topic. The ALIs are assigned to the following job families:
   1. Credit & Asset Quality
   2. Sales & Marketing
   3. Operations
   4. HR & Admin
   5. Risk, Audit & Compliance
   6. Strategy & Analytics
   7. Treasury & Forex
   8. IT & Cyber Security
   9. Fintech, Digital Banking & E-commerce
   10. Leadership

   Click here for Staff Training Centres