Poalim Career Advancement Program

Scholarships Integrating Financial Support and Career Development Tools at Sapir College in Collaboration with Bank Hapoalim.

Poalim Career Advancement Program, is a collaboration between Bank Hapoalim and Sapir College based on a long-standing partnership. Over the past three years, this program has been developed in collaboration with Bank Hapoalim and its Poalim in the Community Foundation together with Sapir’s Dean of Students’ Office and Academia to Employment Unit. The initiative aims to support students in financial need by providing scholarships along with a comprehensive professional development framework that fosters career growth and financial independence.

This year, 60 students were selected to receive this special scholarship that offers both financial aid through and access to an innovative career development program based on Bank Hapoalim’s generous philanthropy. The program includes workshops designed to equip students with essential skills for entry and advancement in the modern job market. Participants gain practical knowledge in key areas such as financial literacy, personal and family budgeting, cash flow management, and entrepreneurship, in collaboration with Bank Hapoalim’s Financial Empowerment Center. Additionally, they will join in three specialized workshops focusing on effective communication, personal branding, and career strategy.

At the Scholarship Event, all of the collaborating entities emphasized their commitment to establishing a solid foundation for students to succeed both academically and professionally, highlighting that the scholarships are just one aspect of this broader initiative.

Alon Geyer, Dean of Students at Sapir Academic College, stated:  "In these challenging times, we recognize the financial hardships our students face. This scholarship program is designed to ease their burden and support those struggling to cover tuition and daily expenses. Thanks to this important partnership with Bank Hapoalim, we are taking another meaningful step in expanding our student support initiatives. We are committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed and reach their academic potential, regardless of their financial circumstances. These scholarships not only help with immediate financial needs but also enable students to focus on their studies and professional development."

Samar Bashara, Manager of Poalim in the Community at Bank Hapoalim’s Social Banking Division, added: “We take great pride in our meaningful and long-term partnership with Sapir College, which has expanded significantly in response to the recent conflict. Poalim in the Community' is deeply invested in closing socio-economic gaps and promoting high-quality employment opportunities for communities in Israel’s social and geographic periphery. The Poalim Career Advancement Program ensures that our students receive both financial security and a comprehensive, industry-relevant toolkit to prepare them for today’s workforce. Each year, in collaboration with Sapir, we enhance and update the program’s offerings to provide students with the confidence and skills to pursue any job opportunity across the country."