Twenty-nine young adults have joined the Republic Bank Guyana Limited family with the launch of the company’s 9th annual Youth Link Apprenticeship programme on Friday at the Herdmanston Lodge.
Introduced in 2008, the programme is intended to bridge the gap between high school business students entering the workforce as part of the bank’s corporate quest to build successful societies.
To date, a total of 213 apprentices from across the country have graduated from the programme offered by the bank.
This new batch of apprentices were selected from schools across the country and will spend the next seven months receiving both classroom and on-the-job training at various branches within the bank’s network in Guyana.
At the end of the programme, successful apprentices will receive the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) from the Caribbean Association of National Training Agen-cies (CANTA) through the Council for Technical and Vocational Training (CTVET).
With this qualification, titled Banking Operations Level 1, the successful apprentices will be eligible for jobs not only in Guyana, but within the wider Caricom region as well.
Addressing the apprentices at Friday’s ceremony, Managing Director of Republic Bank Guyana Limited, Richard Sammy said that the time spent as apprentices will be a unique learning experience as they will not only receive the necessary coaching and guidance on the practical and theoretical aspects of banking but also basic marketable skills to guide their personal career choices.
In addition, Sammy said, the apprentices will be given the chance to experience the community care aspect of the Republic Bank culture through its Youth Link Care-A-Van.
This particular aspect of the apprenticeship programme is aimed at fostering greater social awareness, empathy, respect and care for the less fortunate.
“As you begin your journey next Monday, I urge you to be alert, be receptive and be willing to learn. Participate actively and make the most of this experience…,” Sammy told the apprentices, adding that the benefits they derive could last a lifetime.
Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott commended the bank for undertaking such an initiative and implored the apprentices to use the opportunity to enhance their skills while making that transition from high school to the workforce.
