Republic Bank Remains Committed To Investing In Our Youth

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, August 19, 2021: Republic Bank remains strongly committed to investing in the future through its Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme. Currently in its 35th year, the programme continues to help young people bridge the gap between secondary school and the world of work by providing them with experience and opportunities for personal and professional development.

This year, 25 secondary school graduates between the ages of 16-19 years old participated in the programme and recently celebrated the end of a six-month workshop that began with our on-boarding programme, hosted by our team at the Learning and Talent Development Centre (L & TDC). After a comprehensive introduction to the Republic Bank work ethic and culture, the apprentices diligently got to work within our branches and departments, gaining skills in business-related disciplines, including Information Technology, Entrepreneurship, Office Procedures, Banking Operations, Customer Service, and Personal and Professional Development.

This programme officially ended on July 23, but according to many of the participants, the experience is one they will continue to live for the rest of their lives.

"The Republic Bank Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme has given me a lot of valuable lessons that I will carry with me throughout my career. Time management skills, working under pressure, helping customers and getting paid at the end of the month are some things I will truly miss. Even though COVID-19 has altered my fellow trainees and my experience, I appreciate the opportunity that was afforded to me, "says Youth Link Apprentice, Jabari Daniel.

Similarly, Dennikah Regis also shared expressions of gratitude; "I really enjoyed my time here at Republic Bank. I built relationships that would continue beyond this sphere and I found the various roles I held interesting, while also offering future opportunities for different or higher qualifications in the financial sector. All the staff are down to earth, friendly and always offer guidance as much as they possibly can. Thank you RBL for this opportunity. "

In addition to the learning and training they received, the apprentices also attended empowerment and motivation sessions and a business development seminar hosted by C2M that taught them the skills required to develop their own businesses, including financial management and business etiquette.

As a responsible corporate citizen, Republic Bank believes that our youth are our present and our future, which means we have to invest in them, and support them in realizing their potential.