Any drive to develop future leaders must begin with understanding their aspirations, says Nigel Baptiste, managing director of Republic Bank Limited. Far too often, he said, adults set themselves an agenda of providing fertile grounds for young adults with no clue as to their mind sets of ambitions.
In remarks at the 30th Annual Republic Bank Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme Graduation at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, he said: "Many people talk about building up the youth and about youth empowerment, but few seem to realise that any drive to develop future leaders must begin with a comprehensive understanding of toward which our future leaders aspire."
Baptise told the graduates: "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 today's working world, citizens more willing to become part of the bedrock of a more successful society and a stronger nation. Without a doubt, what you have learned here will benefit you in the future, since you are now better positioned to achieve your goals."
He said the 44 teenagers took part in s seven-month programme which was more than an internship programme. They were spread throughout the bank's branch network and had new opportunities for learning including field trips.
Over the past three decades, the Youth Link Programme has trained more than 1,500 young achievers..Baptiste said he and his team knew the importance of setting and achieving goals.
"Republic Bank has goals. We always do. They keep us moving forward. They keep us focused on the things and the people that matter most. In fact, one of the main goals for the Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme is to provide you young achievers with the right training, experience and environment for you to visualise and achieve your goals.
"By doing this, we play our part in helping to generate the next class of future leaders and in doing so, keep the drive going as we build a more successful national community. In many ways, our goals' success depends on your goals' success. Now that you have spent seven months under our wing, developing professionally and personally, what are the next steps? What next steps for your future has the programme revealed?
Baptiste added: "Whatever the course your take, what we hope for most is that you use the skills and experiences gained here, the friendships and memories, as both momentum and foundation as you move forward in your lives. We hope that the past seven months have given you insight into your goals and how you are going to achieve them."