THIRTY-ONE students on Monday graduated from the Republic Bank’s Eighth Annual Youth Link Apprenticeship programme, which commenced on October 19, 2015 and ended on May 27, 2016.The graduates managed to successfully complete seven months of training, and each apprentice received a National Vocational Qualification: Banking Operation – Level 1, issued by the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), which
certifies that the apprentice has benefited from Republic Bank’s competency-based education (CBE) training.

This batch will also be recipients of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) from the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA). CANTA has upgraded this programme to a Regional Occupational Standard (ROS), and this certifies that the apprentices are eligible for jobs within the Caricom Region.

Mr. Richard Sammy, Managing Director of Republic Bank Guyana Limited, gave the Sponsor’s Address at this graduation. He shared that the apprentices were able to experience the work environment and engage in practical activities, such as preparing a business proposal and benefiting from a presentation session in which they were given opportunity to present on selected topics to a panel of judges.

Geared at bridging the gap between the end of the participants’ school lives and the start of their careers, the Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme was first introduced in Guyana in 2008. The youths, fresh out of high school, were also able to participate in a community outreach styled “Youth Link Care–A–Van” in which they visited the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre and had opportunity to interact with the children. They were also exposed to an interactive session on First Aid, which was facilitated by the Guyana Red Cross Society.

A HEALTHY EXPERIENCE
This programme was indeed not one of ‘all work and no play’, as the group had been able to participate in the Annual Staff Party, a fitness explosion, Independence display competition, the Republic Bank Staff Volunteerism Programme; and a guided tour along the Essequibo River, which included visits to Fort Island, Fort Kyk-Over-Al and the Baganara Island Resort.

Mr. Sammy, in his address, ensured that he highlighted this aspect of the programme. In closing his address, he expressed pleasure and pride at the apprentices’ success, and also expressed that this experience is Republic Bank’s investment in them and in their future.
He left with them the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola: “Go forth and set the world on fire”.

In addition to receiving certificates, there were a few individuals in the group who were also recipients of special prizes, such as Best All-rounder (which was copped by valedictorian of the programme, Shamira Ramsuchit), Most Improved Apprentice, Most Effective Presentation, etc. These special awards were presented by a few senior members of Republic Bank.

The valedictorian’s speech recollected her memories of the events she had experienced and the people she had been able to meet. She expressed her appreciation for this programme, as it provided her with a pathway to take, as she was uncertain about what to do after high school.

PRAISED
A motivational address was also given by Mr. Marcel Hutson, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Development), who praised Republic Bank’s leadership and “sterling contribution” over the year, and the impact it has had, especially on the development of education in Guyana.

He also spoke to the apprentices about the importance of education, and left the graduates with many motivational quotes, such as the words of Louis L’Amour: “The best of all things is to learn. Money can be lost or stolen, health and strength may fail, but what you have committed to your mind is yours forever”.

However, he noted that mere academic superiority is not enough, an appreciation of cultural diversity is also necessary.

Speaking on the era of technology, Hutson said, “You cannot Google your life”. He was explaining that one must work — and work hard — for the things in life that one wishes to achieve. He left the apprentices with a few charges, whereby he told them that the past is gone; the world is changing very rapidly; the graduates must not compromise their integrity for money; they must not assume they know everything; and they must not let sand slip through their fingers. Leave your mark, he urged.

Present at this ceremony was Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, and senior personnel within the hierarchy of the Republic Bank Guyana Limited.

Entertainment was provided by Mr. Roy Stewart with his saxophone rendition of “It’s a wonderful world” by Louis Armstrong, and there was an empowering song from Candace Field.