13 graduate from Republic Bank’s Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme

Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited on Friday held a ceremony in honour of the 13 young men and women who completed a seven-month training programme, marking the Bank’s 12th annual Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme. The ceremony was held at the Marriott Hotel.

Each apprentice received a Caribbean Vocational Qualification Banking Operations Level 1 certificate approved by the Council for Human and Social Development of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) through the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET). With this qualification, they will be eligible for jobs within the Caricom Region.
During the programme, each apprentice was also continually evaluated on performance in several areas. This was facilitated by a team of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited Assessors, trained by the CTVET and the Bank’s Learning and Talent Development Centre.
The apprentices were attached to various branches across the Bank’s network from November 2022 to June 2023, and were trained and provided with the tools that would assist them in their integration into the world of work.
Having received knowledge in several areas of banking operations, they were each tasked with preparing a business proposal for review and were also exposed to public speaking by participating in the effective presentation component.
Further, the apprentices engaged in a community outreach initiative at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre in Georgetown where they were exposed to an interactive session on first aid facilitated by the Guyana Red Cross Society.
Through a field trip, the youths enjoyed a day of fun with a guided Essequibo River tour, with stops at Fort Island, Bartica, Bara Cara Falls, and the Sloth Island Resort. This allowed for an appreciation of Guyana’s natural beauty and relaxation after hard work.
To continually encourage high-level performances, special awards were also presented to the apprentices for various areas such as Best All-Rounder, Best Business Proposal, Most Effective Presentation, Most Disciplined Apprentice, Most Improved Apprentice, and Most Congenial Apprentice.
The Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme 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.
Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to the development of the youths in Guyana, and said it would continue to inspire, motivate and instil proper work values and ethics in those who enter the programme.