HSBC Malta CEO says internships nurture an ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ in youngsters at an early stage

Providing internships to young people instils an entrepreneurial spirit, HSBC Malta CEO Geoffrey Fichte has emphasised.

He was commenting as HSBC Malta Foundation on Monday announced the participation of a record 30 interns in its summer and two-year internship programmes. This was done through partnership initiatives with the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), University of Malta, JA Malta Foundation, and HSBC Insurance Malta, which were aimed at bolstering the foundation’s commitment to fostering young talent and preparing them for the rigours of the financial services sector.

This year’s intake included a number of students who recently took part in the Junior Achievers International programme. Various other interns are currently in their first or second year of studying at MCAST or are reading for a degree at University of Malta.

Commenting on the programme, Mr Fichte said: “Our internship initiatives echo HSBC’s deep-rooted commitment to shaping future entrepreneurs and successful career stories.”

He remarked that these internships are “not just about gaining practical experience”, but they are also about “bridging the existing knowledge gap between academic learning and real-world industry needs”.

“Involving youngsters in a corporate setting at an early stage nurtures an entrepreneurial spirit, which is vital for Malta’s economy, especially when addressing the skills gap that many employers face today,” Mr Fichte added.

Earlier this month, MCAST Principal and CEO Joachim James Calleja urged more organisations from both the public and private sectors to bring on board more apprentices to boost work-based learning. He had said that internships and apprenticeships are not only investments for the interns, but also for the employers themselves.

HSBC revealed that according to historical trends, a “significant number” of interns eventually transition into full-time roles after their time at the bank.

During their time at the bank, these aspiring young professionals are given the opportunity to work within its global functions or business lines, benefitting from the expertise of senior management and executives. HSBC stated that their journey provides them with “insights into the bank’s operations, understanding its customer-centric approach, and overarching strategy”.

The students expressed their appreciation for the flexibility offered by the bank, providing remote working options in line with modern work dynamics. Many noted the opportunity to rotate across different areas and get a taste of various aspects of the bank, with others also highlighting the bank’s “positive company culture”, particularly stating that they enjoyed the working environment and their colleagues. The interns also acknowledged the wealth of opportunities offered to them, emphasising “just how much they learnt over a relatively short period of time”.