New session of AgriSchool project by Credit Agricole has launched

On April 22, Credit Agricole started the new session of the AgriSchool learning project – the in-house agrarian expertise development program for the bank’s employees. This year, 38 colleagues have embarked on the learning journey – one of the largest student enrollments in AgriSchool’s history. As part of the project, participants will obtain unique theoretical knowledge and practical skills in agribusiness.

“Credit Agricole has been working in the agrarian sector for over 15 years, and in this time has accumulated unique expertise in the market. It is this experience and knowledge that have become foundation for the AgriSchool – the first in Ukraine banking educational project for training highly qualified experts of the agrarian market. 8 years ago, we set out to teach the bank’s employees to speak the same language as their customers – the language of agri. Now we take pride in having 100 alumni of the program and 38 new students who keep contributing to the community of experts who have profound understanding of the needs of agribusiness. We wish our participants successful studies and professional accomplishments!”, - notes Carlos de Cordoue, Chairman of the Management Board of Credit Agricole.

What makes the AgriSchool project so special is the combination of the theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. In the course of training, students not only learn the specifics of agribusiness, but also visit the production facilities of the bank’s customers, which include representatives of the international and mid-corporates, as well as the small and medium business. It enables our students to comprehend the actual mechanisms and specifics of work with customers in practice.

“Our objective is to impart comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all the agribusiness processes. The program is based on the 50/50 principle – the theory and practice are well-balanced and evenly distributed across the curriculum, so that participants can immediately apply the knowledge they have gained in practice. Such approach enables the bank’s experts to select the most effective solutions for our customers, which is a foundation of the lasting and mutually beneficial partnership”, - shares Nataliia Porvina, Head of Agribusiness Support Department and ESG of Credit Agricole.

Colleagues from various bank units will take part in the intensive training program developed to follow the production cycle of the agrarian customers – from sowing to processing of the produce. The 7 modules ahead cover the key areas of the agrarian business: crop production, animal farming, trading, agricultural processing and sustainable agricultural production.

Each module includes a test at the end, and provided that the entirety of the program is completed successfully, the participants will be awarded diplomas. The speakers for the project will include the bank’s agrarian experts and representatives of the agrarian market leaders.

Special focus is placed on the practical task of the final module – a business game. It is aimed at bringing together employees from different business units of the bank to solve the daily operating tasks of the agrarian producers. This way, Credit Agricole experts are as close as possible to the customer’s production cycle.

The AgriSchool project is continually developing and perfecting the curriculum in response to the relevant challenges posed by the market. This year, every module is to include the ESG elements, enabling the participants to gain a deeper understanding of the sustainable production principles and their practical application.

Credit Agricole is going to further develop the educational initiatives and share its expertise in order to train the highly qualified experts.