Hands-On Experience Programme Delivers Life Changing Opportunities

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As a young girl from a remote village in Takeo province, Yun Sreypov dreamt of pursuing a university education, something none of her siblings had achieved. Driven by the hope of lifting her large farming family out of poverty, she saw her chance in 2024 when she joined a hands-on training programme provided by a local bank in Phnom Penh. From that moment, she began to grow both personally and professionally. Now, she shares her journey to inspire others to embark on the path—one that has equipped her with skills, confidence and a stable income to support herself—and eventually her family too.

Yun Sreypov, 23, is a Junior Client Service Advisor at Wing Bank’s Toul Kork branch, having started off on a six-month Young Wingers Graduate Development Program last year. She is also a fourth-year accounting student at ACLEDA University of Business.

The only girl in a family of eight, Sreypov, worked hard in high school to pursue higher education in Phnom Penh at the age of 18. Alone in the city, she struggled to achieve her goal to change her generational farming family’s fate by earning a better income.

Some of her siblings immigrated to Vietnam and other provinces to seek jobs with higher pay. Her mother, who was once a salesperson, cannot carry out her job now after she felt sick.

“Since I was young, I always thought that my family did not have a good livelihood like others. I only wished to finish my education and get a job which will provide my family with a consistent income,” she said.

During her second and third years of university, Sreypov worked part-time at a mall in Khan Sen Sok from 6pm to 10pm or 11pm, sometimes arriving home in the middle of the night, depending on her work schedule.

“I was working late into the night every day and it was very difficult for me as a girl,” she said.

She stopped working late at night and started to look for opportunities or paid training that could support her financially and provide skills, while not distracting her from her studies or jeopardize her safety.

Young Wingers Graduate Development Program

Sreypov has always been curious about Wing, which was once the only operating money transfer agent in Cambodia. Over time, Wing transformed into a full-fledged commercial bank, playing a vital role in the country’s financial sector—further fueling her ambition to one day become part of the institution.

One day, while driving through the city, she was captivated by the sight of the Wing Bank Tower—it looked magnificent, and she immediately felt inspired to work there.

Later, while scrolling on Facebook, she came across the Young Wingers Graduate Development Program, an on-the-job training that takes in students keen on the financial sector, as well as those who want to acquire skills and earn income while studying.

Sreypov saw it as a golden opportunity to step into a big financial company, so she decided to apply in February 2024. “I didn’t expect to be accepted as it was new, and I didn’t have related experience,” she said, adding that she was not good at English.

However, she was shortlisted. “After entering the bank, I realised that my expectation was completely different. In actual fact, opportunities are given to students who don’t have experience in banking. They are given a chance to grow here,” she shared.

“I was so scared because I thought Wing Bank was a huge company and I’m not really good at it [banking and finance]. I was afraid that when they asked me, I would not be able to answer well and would fail the interview.”

However, Sreypov succeeded in the interview and was offered a good allowance, allowing her to gain both knowledge and financial support. She was paid a monthly allowance of $150 in the first phase, increasing to $180 in the second phase of the program. The wage helped to support her studies.

Studying versus On-the-Job Training

Through the training, she obtained soft skills and expanded her knowledge in banking, which was more than what was taught in school.

“It’s different from what I learned in school, which is related to calculation, but here [Wing Bank] we learn about customer service,” Sreypov said. “Wing Bank provides many opportunities for us, especially students, who have never had any experience in the banking line but are now able to expand their skills.”

During her six-month training, she gained soft skills (customer service), hard skills, and practical experience working as a teller to fill out documents relating to finance and loans. Sreypov said there were more opportunities than challenges as the bank employees are helpful, guided the trainees and shared their knowledge.

At first, Sreypov did not expect much from the training. But she not only received practical experience in banking but also got a monthly salary that helped support her daily expenditure while studying.

Better livelihood and self-transformation

When she worked at nights at the mall, her salary was about $200 per month, which was not sufficient to cover daily expenses as well as school fees and rent, but the full-time job has brought many changes to her life, from a better salary to a stronger personality.

As a young girl from a village near the Cambodia-Vietnam border, Sreypov used to be shy and scared of people, but after moving to the capital for her studies and through work she has become confident and independent, gaining life skills and a positive attitude. She also learned to behave more professionally at work.

She is also financially independent, as she earns a salary to support her education and daily expenses unlike in the past, when she depended on her mum. “Now, I earn my own money,” she said.

The confidence she gained also stems from how she handles her job. Sreypov does encounter challenges when speaking to customers who are short-tempered. However, she attempts to solve the problem amicably.

She believes her work at Wing Bank indirectly helps society where she tackles people’s financial matters by facilitating loan applications and money transfers both online and offline to ensure Cambodians have a convenient, fast and secure banking experience.

“I cannot imagine doing anything else if there is no Wing Bank,” she said, urging her friends and other students to look for paid hands-on experience. “When one joins the Young Wingers Graduate Development Program, they are taught from zero knowledge till they have the ability to find their own job,” she added.

Promoting opportunities for Cambodian students

According to Taing Kaing, Talent and Employee Service Director at Wing Bank, the programme is a four- to six-month career accelerator designed specifically for capable Cambodian youth who may not have the financial means to pursue a university degree.

“The programme targets youth with strong potential who cannot afford higher education,” said Taing. “We give them access to training, support, and real job opportunities—enabling them to build a better future without needing a degree or prior experience.”

Participants in the programme benefit from a well-rounded support system designed to fast-track their careers. They receive financial and welfare assistance, including a monthly allowance, health insurance, occupational accident insurance, and accommodation—making it possible for them to focus on learning without the burden of daily expenses.

Alongside this, they gain valuable soft and hard skills through structured training and on-the-job experience, giving them practical knowledge of bank operations and customer service. Those who show dedication and a willingness to grow have a strong chance of securing full-time employment with Wing Bank at the end of the program.

Some capable students who pass the national high school exam are forced to abandon their dreams of higher education due to their families’ economic struggles. In seeking employment, they often face a second roadblock: a job market that favors candidates with university degrees, foreign language proficiency, and digital literacy.

Taing acknowledged this gap, stating that it has left many talented youths underemployed or stuck in unstable, low-paying jobs.

To help address this challenge and contribute to the Royal Government of Cambodia’s national human resource development goals, Wing Bank launched the Young Winger Programme as part of its broader social development mission.

“We don’t require university degrees, English fluency, or prior digital skills. What we value most is commitment, hard work, and the will to grow,” Taing emphasized.

Since its launch in February 2024, the programme has provided hands-on training to more than 60 trainees, 25% of whom are female. More trainees are expected to attend this year.

To apply, candidates need to attach their national high school diploma exam (BAC II) certificate and national ID card and submit the documents via email or Wing Bank’s official social media pages – Facebook, Telegram, LinkedIn – or any Wing Bank branch nearest to them.