Youth Link Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony 2016

Most Outstanding: His Excellency Antony Carmona, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, second from left, stands with Republic Bank’s Managing Director, Nigel Baptiste, Executive Director, Derwin Howell and General Manager, Group Human Resources, Anna Maria Garcia Brooks, after presenting the Most Outstanding Award to Celine Blacksingh, at the Graduation ceremony held on Wednesday at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre. The President was the Feature Speaker at the event.

Port of Spain, Trinidad, May 27, 2016: “I advise you all strongly to enroll in a substantial course in mediation and alternative dispute resolutions (ADR) as it can make you a powerhouse for sustainable peace, harmony and amicable resolutions, in an effort to mitigate the crime and violence in our country. These were the words of advice shared, by His Excellency, the President, Anthony Carmona, at the graduation ceremony held on Wednesday May 25, at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, of the 30th anniversary of the Republic Bank Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme.

President Carmona who delivered the feature address, at the ceremony urged the 44 graduates to utilize the facilities available in mediation and alternative dispute resolutions, to help bring about a level of peace in the land. “Mediation within society ensures that social order is maintained and cohesion exists. Right here in Trinidad and Tobago, mediation is necessary to end the senseless banter we sometimes find ourselves engrossed in, to stop the fighting and bullying in our communities to achieve among us, as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago real peace and harmony,” he stressed. The Youth Link Apprenticeship programme which started in 1986 is opened to Secondary School graduates from the business studies stream, who are between the ages of 16-19 years old.

Delivering the sponsors’ remarks, Republic Bank’s Managing Director, Nigel Baptiste acknowledged the graduates, saying that they each brought something unique to the programme, as they set the necessary goals for themselves. “As we celebrate what you have achieved, we are really celebrating the emergence of another class of future leaders; young men and women who are better adapted to succeed in the today’s working world; citizens more willing to become part of the bedrock of a more successful society and a stronger nation.

One of the programme’s objectives is to equip the participants with the basic tools in training and to engender marketable skills in business-related disciplines, with the aim of improving their career options. During the seven (7) months, the apprentices also benefited from a developmental seminar hosted by C2M and a motivational session conducted by Pastor Clive Dottin.

At the ceremony, staff member Kavita Mahabir and soloist Kevon Carter, provided the evening’s entertainment. Certificates of participation along with special awards were distributed to the participants for their performance.

The Republic Bank 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 applauds all the graduates who participated in the programme and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.