Twenty-Six Young Adults Graduate From Republic Bank's Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme

Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 celebrated the graduation of twenty-six (26) young professionals, from its Apprenticeship Programme at a ceremony held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel. This event, now in its fifteenth year, marked the completion of a seven-month journey of growth, learning and transformation, as these young men and women prepare to take the next step in their professional careers.

After months of dedication, hard work, and invaluable learning experiences, the fifteenth batch of Youth Link Apprentices, each received a Caribbean Vocational Qualification Banking Operations Level 1 Certificate. This Certificate is approved by the Council for Human and Social Development of CARICOM through the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET). With this qualification, the Apprentices will be eligible for jobs within the CARICOM Region.

Throughout the programme, each Apprentice was exposed to a combination of classroom instruction, on-the-job training and self-directed learning. Under the guidance of CTVET certified trainers and assessors, these young professionals improved their skills and knowledge in various areas essential for success in the world of work.

The Apprentices were assigned to various branches across the Bank’s network from October 2025 to April 2026, where they gained exposure to the day-to-day operations of the banking sector. During this period, they also enhanced their communication skills, improved their understanding of office procedures and sales strategies and further developed their confidence through public speaking presentation sessions.

Honourable Keoma Griffith, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning delivered the Motivational Address at the ceremony inspiring the audience with his personal story of resilience and determination in spite of obstacles in his journey to attaining his Legal Education Certificate (LEC). Minister Griffith also encouraged the graduates to maximize every opportunity afforded them especially since our nation is undergoing major transformation.

Managing Director of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Dr. Toussant Boyce, commended the graduates on their dedication and growth throughout the programme. "The Republic Bank Youth Link Apprenticeship programme, is about so much more than banking. It’s about, building confidence, resilience and the ability to think, adapt and grow. With this graduating class, the total number of young Guyanese who have benefitted from this unique programme, now reaches three hundred and fifty (350). That’s not just a statistic. That’s 350 young lives changed, 350 futures strengthened and 350 reminders that investing in young people is always a good decision."

In addition to formal training, participants were also exposed to purposeful activities designed to broaden their perspectives and enhance their personal development. They interacted with children from the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, received First Aid training facilitated by Cerulean Inc., and enjoyed a memorable trip to a local resort, allowing them to deepen their appreciation for our nation’s history and natural splendour.

In keeping with the programme's commitment to recognizing excellence and fostering a culture of achievement, special awards were presented to commend outstanding performances in various categories, including Best All Rounder, Best Business Proposal, Most Effective Presentation, Most Disciplined Apprentice, Most Improved Apprentice and Most Congenial Apprentice.

The 2025/2026 Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme graduation ceremony served as a key reminder of the power of education, mentorship, and opportunity to transform lives and shape futures. As we celebrate the accomplishments of this latest cohort, we look forward to witnessing the positive impact they will undoubtedly have on our communities and the world at large.

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.