Another crop of graduates have passed through a wealth management associate programme run by the Swiss bank as the drive to build home-grown talent continues in Asia.

A wealth management associate programme run by UBS in Asia has marked its ninth graduation ceremony in Hong Kong and Singapore as such firms continue to build out talent development courses to meet demand and avoid over-reliance on hiring from rival businesses.

More than 20 graduates were chosen from hundreds of applicants, the Zurich-listed bank said. The wealth management programme was launched in 2006.

The training and job rotation programme is held over 12 months and comprises customised training in the workplace and classroom, with real-life assignments and on-the-job coaching by dedicated managers. Associates are also required to complete the Wealth Management Diploma and client projects to make the grade as a client advisor in Hong Kong or Singapore.

This programme uses in-house experts and external trainers to advise on winning presentations; personal branding and business etiquette, all of which help client advisors connect with clients.

The work by this firm is part of a trend of wealth managers operating such schemes and there are, in addition, a number of business schools and universities developing training focused at wealth management. For more information, see this roundup of courses and programmes here.

"UBS invests significantly, and for the long term, in its people and infrastructure. The UBS Wealth Management Associate Program is part of our effort to continue to develop talent particularly in Asia Pacific where the industry is growing & changing rapidly,” Susan Co, vice chairman of UBS Wealth Management, Southeast Asia, said.

The training and job rotation programme is held over 12 months and comprises customised training in the workplace and classroom, with real-life assignments and on-the-job coaching by dedicated managers. Associates are also required to complete the Wealth Management Diploma and client projects to make the grade as a client advisor in Hong Kong or Singapore.

This programme uses in-house experts and external trainers to advise on winning presentations; personal branding and business etiquette, all of which help client advisors connect with clients.

The Associate Program also attracts professionals from other markets outside Singapore. An example of that is Lance Wang, a client advisor from the Taiwan desk who graduated from medical school in Taiwan before taking an MBA with major in Finance. "I had a keen interest in the financial industry so I joined a management program with a financial firm in Taiwan. However, when an opportunity to join the UBS Wealth Management Associate Program in Singapore, I relocated."

James Hui, an ex-lawyer turned client advisor who resides with the Hong Kong desk said: " The associate program provided me with valuable insight into how the world's biggest wealth manager operates with comprehensive classroom and on the job training, we can help clients to achieve their long term financial goals and needs by doing things the better way, the UBS way."