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MT 19 October 2014

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Events 43 maltatoday, Sunday, 19 OctOber 2014 HSBC introduces Talking ATMs for the visually impaired HSBC Malta has introduced voice technology in its ATMs outside its Operations Centre at Qormi, and in its branches at Sliema, Valletta, Paola, Mo- sta and Victoria Gozo, to enable visually impaired people to use its banking facilities. This is part of an ongoing installation pro- gramme to roll out this function- ality in all HSBC ATMs during 2015. Once a customer connects any standard 3.5mm earphone to the ATM, pre-recorded voice instructions, available in ei- ther Maltese or English, guide customer through a number of transactions. During these operations, the ATM screen is blanked out to ensure customer security and privacy. HSBC's Talking ATM features include cash withdrawals, cash deposits, and balance enquiries. HSBC is also offering custom- ers the additional functionality of operating the machine with en- larged fonts, a service which will enable customers with low vision to operate the machine more eas- ily, while ensuring their details remain secure. "Over the past months our teams have worked hard to en- sure HSBC's Talking ATMs have the appropriate levels of security, privacy and ease of use to enable our visually impaired customers undertake simple transactions," said Paul Steel, Head of Retail Banking & Wealth Management at HSBC Malta. HSBC worked with the Na- tional Commission for Persons with Disability (KNPD) as well as the Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA) throughout the development of this project. KNPD's Chairperson, Oliver Scicluna, added, "The Commis- sion is dedicated to working for a truly inclusive society in Malta and our alliance with HSBC is another step towards helping provide independent access to banking services - an integral part of modern life." FITA's ICT Accessibility Cer- tification Officer, Mr. Michael Micallef, agreed, "FITA assists persons with disability in over- coming or removing ICT access barriers. Our collaboration with HSBC Malta in providing this progressive change to its ATMs will enhance the quality of life for many individuals.'' HSBC also offers a specially de- signed Personal Internet Banking Secure key free of charge to cus- tomers with sight problems, ena- bling them to make full use of its online banking facilities. Additional information about this service is available via www. hsbc.com.mt/atm or by call- ing HSBC Contact Centre on 23802380. Companies get together for Pink October On Wednesday, 15 October, Malta's leading integrated marketing com- munications agency, JPA hosted an event at Cavalieri Hotel where it in- vited Europa Donna Malta, Breast Care Support Group and the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation to- gether with a number of companies that are supporting the breast can- cer awareness campaign, Pink Oc- tober to expound on the initiative. Using a variety of media, including television, press and social media, the Pink October campaign, aims to communicate key messages about breast cancer facts and promotes the importance of self-examination and breast screening measures be- fore it's too late. The campaign is running throughout the month of October and is being supported by a number of media partners and private enterprises. Among the sup- porters are the Ministry of Health, Cavalieri Hotel, A&S Signs, RE/ MAX, emCare, Middlesea Insur- ance, TVM, St. James Hospital, 6PM, Transforma, Biocare, Fin- estral, LogoGrafix, Impressions and Nexos. Speaking at the event, JPA direc- tor, Adrian Fabri explained that JPA chose breast cancer awareness this year as part of its annual corporate social responsibility initiative. They explained: "Every year, JPA chooses a good cause for us to contribute towards. Last year we ran the Mo- vember campaign for the month of November which focused on raising awareness and funds for prostate cancer research, while urging men to get tested for testicular cancer. The campaign was very successful and encouraged us to further im- prove our CSR and so, this year we decided to strive once again to get our message about breast cancer across to both women and men." This message is multifaceted as JPA wants to raise awareness by making people think about breast cancer. If they think about it and are informed about the statistics, they are more likely to practise healthy habits, appreciate their health and more importantly, get screened for breast cancer. "No one is invinci- ble," Bianco and Fabri said as they urged people to go get tested for breast cancer. Lastly, the campaign also aims to raise funds via www. pinkoctober.support where people can make a donation securely. All the proceeds will go to Europa Don- na Malta and the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation. During the event, JPA commended all the sponsors and partners for their support in this initiative. The awareness campaign will reach its peak on Saturday, 25 October, 2014 during a fundraising event taking place at the Cavalieri Hotel in St Julian's. For this event, JPA together with the management of Cavalieri Hotel, will be creating a pink and stylish atmosphere in keeping with the theme. Entertainment will be provided by a line-up of other per- sonalities. The International Factors Group (IFG) recent- ly held its 52nd Annual Meeting in Malta. IFG Chairman Margrith Lutschg-Emmenegger, who is also President of Malta-based FIMBank, ex- plained, "The IFG Annual Meeting is the leading global conference for factoring, receivables fi- nancing and asset-based finance, and is regarded by the market as an annual highlight." The opening speech was delivered by Minister for Finance Prof. Edward Scicluna. Minister Sci- cluna who welcomed the delegates to Malta and thanked the IFG, and particularly its Chairman, for choosing Malta as the venue for its annual meeting, adding that such events contributed to further enhance Malta's image as a reputable ju- risdiction in the financial services sector. Erik Timmermans, Secretary General of IFG, stated, "The IFG Annual Meeting which was just held in Malta was a great success, offering the op- portunity for decision makers in this industry to learn, network and develop new business relation- ships. Over 150 delegates had the opportunity to discover the beauty and rich history of the Mal- tese islands and go back home with a memorable experience". For further information about the IFG Group please visit www.ifgroup.com The Ablecare Oilfield Services Group has set up the Ableman Drilling Careers Academy. The Academy has teamed up with Lone Star College of Houston, Texas, in the United States, to offer a two-month full-time Floorhand Workforce Certifi- cate, the first such comprehensive pro- gramme in the Mediterranean region. It was developed in line with the recently launched Knowledge, Skills and Abili- ties (KSA) requirements of the Interna- tional Association of Drilling Contrac- tors (IADC) and is fully recognised by the IADC. "The setting up of the Ableman Drill- ing Careers Academy shows the com- mitment of the Ablecare Oilfield Ser- vices Group towards upgrading the standards of preparation of prospective employees in the oil and gas industry," Ablecare OSG Chairman Paul Abela said. "We are committed to providing drilling contractors with retainable, promotable and safety-conscience rig crews. Through this programme and others planned in the future we will be grooming people for a hands-on career in the oil and gas industry, providing opportunities for personal development to existing rig-based personnel and set- ting a local industry standard with re- spect to the entry requirements on a rig, which is approved worldwide." Ablecare OSG is investing in equip- ment that students will use to ensure they get a hand-on orientation of what it means to work on an oilrig, plus the necessary facilities. Lone Star College is the largest higher education institution in Houston offer- ing associate degrees and certification in many areas of study. Two lecturers from the college, who have decades of experience in the oil and gas industry, will be travelling to Malta to deliver this first programme at the Ableman Drill- ing Careers Academy. Among the subjects to be covered during the programme, which starts in February and consists of no fewer than 288 contact hours, are: Introduction to Oil and Gas, Introduction to Industrial Maintenance, Basic Mechanical Skills for Energy, Drilling/Rig Floor Core Skills, IADC RIG PASS and IADC Well- CAP. Ableman Drilling Careers Academy Director Angelique Maggi said: "It is encouraging to know that 95% of the students attending these courses in Houston have found retainable, high- earning jobs and moreover are perform- ing successfully in their place of work. I am confident that the first 30 local stu- dents who pursue this programme will be in a better position to perform to a high level as soon as the find employ- ment and go on to pursue a long-term career in the oil and gas industry." Maggi will be conducting a number of information sessions on the new pro- gramme in November, 2014, at Ablecare Oilfield Services Group's head offices in the San Gwann Industrial Estate. Full details are on the Ablecare Oil- field Services Group's Facebook page. Those interested in attending are to register in advance by sending an e-mail to ablemanacademy@ablecareosg.com. For more information visit the Ablecare OSG website www.ablecareosg.com. IFG Conference in Malta Ableman Drilling Careers Academy launched Adrian Fabri (sixth left), director JPA with Gertrude Abela (fifth left) and Esther Sant (seventh left) and the sponsors on Pink October at the Cavalieri Hotel.

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