Thirteen youths have graduated from the Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited-sponsored 2023/2024 Youth Link Apprentice-ship Programme which capped off seven months of training, according to a release yesterday from the Bank.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Guyana Marriot Hotel on Friday, May 10, and the event marked a significant milestone in the seven-month journey of the apprentices as they embark on their professional careers, the release noted.
After months of hard work and dedication, the deserving graduates, who are the thirteenth batch of Youth Link Appren-tices, will each receive a Caribbean Vocational Qualification Banking Opera-tions Level 1 Certificate. This certificate is approved by the Council for Human and Social Development of CARICOM through the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET). With this qualification, the apprentices will be eligible for jobs within the CARICOM region.
The release explained that throughout the programme, each apprentice was exposed to a combination of classroom instruction, on-the-job training and self-directed learning. Under the guidance of CTVET certified trainers and assessors, these apprentices improved their skills and knowledge in various areas essential for success in the world of work.
They were assigned to various branches across the Bank’s network from October 2023 to April 2024, where they received comprehensive training and practical experience. They also gained insights into communication techniques, office procedures and sales strategies, while also crafting business proposals and developing their public speaking abilities through effective presentation sessions.
And it was not all just bank training. Participants were also exposed to purposeful activities designed to broaden their perspectives and enhance their personal development. They interacted with children from the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, received first aid training from the Guyana Red Cross, and enjoyed a memorable trip to a local resort, allowing them to deepen their appreciation for the nation’s history and natural splendor.
At the graduation ceremony, special awards were presented to commend outstanding performances in various categories, including Best All Rounder, Best Business Proposal, Most Effective Presen-tation, Most Disciplined Apprentice, Most Improved Apprentice and Most Congenial Apprentice.
In his address to the graduates, Managing Director of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Stephen Grell, spoke of the true essence of this apprenticeship programme being about preparing young adults to better navigate their personal and professional pursuits. “We are really celebrating the emergence of future leaders; young men and women who are better equipped to succeed in today’s working world; more willing to make a difference to build more successful societies.”
The Youth Link Apprenticeship Pro-gramme was first introduced in Guyana in 2008 primarily to bridge the gap between the end of the participants’ school life and the start of their careers, the release added.
