Youth Link Programme Fact Sheet

The Republic Bank Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme commenced in 1986 with 50 participants.

Susan Dore developed the Programme. She was the then Personnel Manager of the Bank. She studied the National Apprenticeship Programme as it was applied in England and redefined the programme for Republic Bank.

The aims of the programme are:

1. To equip the participants with basic training and marketable skills in business-related disciplines in order to improved their career options.
2. To bridge the gap between the school and work environment.

The Apprenticeship Programme is open to Secondary School graduates between the ages of 16 to 19 years, from the business studies stream.

This year 32 young men and women participated in the Programme.

The Programme spans a period of seven (7) months, during which time the apprentices are attached to a Republic Bank branch or Specialist Unit, where they are exposed to various courses in office procedures, personal development, banking operations, customer service and computing.

They are also required to attend a seminar on developing skills to establish their own businesses. This seminar is hosted by C2M. A motivational session conducted by Pastor Clive Dottin, also forms part of the Programme, which is aimed at boosting the self-esteem of the participants, as they make positive strides in their lives.

At the end of the programme, the apprentices receive a Certificate of Participation. Awards are also presented to participants who have excelled in specific categories.

The Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme is a demonstration of the Bank's commitment to the development of the young people in Trinidad and Tobago. The Bank hopes to inspire, motivate and instill proper work values and ethics in those who enter the programme.