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The leader and his team ensure these skills – acknowledged as the hottest, function-agnostic skills in the industry today – are an integral part of the bank's learning agenda, promoted through coaching, immersive learning experiences, digital tools, and workshops.
The workplace is evolving at an unprecedented pace, making certain skills more valuable than ever. Beyond technical expertise, employees must be able to think critically, adapt to change, and navigate workplace dynamics with emotional intelligence. These function-agnostic skills are the foundation for resilience, effective decision-making, and collaboration — key traits for thriving in any industry.
At Bank Muamalat, this mindset is embedded in its 2025 learning and development strategy. By focusing on leadership development, technical upskilling, and flexible learning models, the company is future proofing its workforce, Rayyan Irwan Mohamed Hatta, Head of Strategic HR (pictured above), tells Sarah Gideon.
Initiatives such as the First Time Managers programme have shown tangible results in leadership retention, while strategic collaborations, such as with IBFIM for Islamic finance certifications, ensure industry relevance. With digital literacy also taking centrestage, Bank Muamalat is transforming its learning platforms and creating tailored growth paths for high-potential employees.
But how exactly is the organisation fostering these critical skills, and what steps are being taken to accelerate employee development? Let's find out in this exclusive interview, where Rayyan shares talks about his approach to upskilling employees for the future.
Q How has your organisation adapted its learning and development strategy to meet the challenges and opportunities of 2025?
At Bank Muamalat, our 2025 strategy revolves around developing leaders, enhancing technical competencies, and integrating flexible learning modalities.
Programmes like the First Time Managers initiative have already reduced attrition among new leaders, and strategic collaborations, such as with IBFIM for certifications in Islamic finance, align our workforce with industry-specific demands.
We’re also digitising our learning platforms to ensure accessibility and creating tailored development plans for high-potential employees to future-proof our workforce.
Q What are the hottest, function-agnostic skills in your industry today – skills that will never fail you?
Critical thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence remain indispensable. These skills transcend job functions, enabling employees to navigate change, make informed decisions, and foster collaboration. Digital literacy is also vital as our industry embraces tech-driven transformations.
Q How are you building these skills in your workforce? Essentially, how do you help employees accelerate their learning (especially when it comes to soft skills)?
We promote these skills through coaching, immersive learning experiences, and digital tools. For soft skills, workshops on emotional intelligence and resilience are integrated into our learning agenda.
Real-time feedback systems and mentorship programmes help employees accelerate their development by embedding learning into daily work.
Q On the HR front - What are the top 3 most critical skills your organisation is prioritising for the future, and how are you cultivating them? How are you also upskilling yourself and your team?
We prioritise strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and change management. To cultivate these, we ensure our HR team undergoes continuous development through certifications, exposure to industry best practices, and scenario-based training.
"I focus on staying ahead in HR tech and organisational development through certifications, networking, and thought leadership."
My team benefits from structured learning paths and cross-functional assignments that prepare them for future challenges.
Q If you could have any superpower to enhance your learning and development efforts, what would it be and how would you use it to shape the future of work?
I’d choose the ability to instantly gauge and fulfil employee potential. This superpower would allow me to deploy the right resources, training, and experiences at the perfect moment, ensuring a thriving, future-ready workforce while optimising organisational impact.
Check out our other Upskilling 101 stories here.
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