Six Territories, One Mission: Republic Bank Eastern Caribbean Launches 2025 Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme

Friday, June 27, 2025 – Under this year’s theme “Empowering a New Generation of Professionals and Leaders”, Republic Bank (EC) has officially launched its 2025 Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme across the six territories it serves: Anguilla, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Maarten. Now in its third year, the programme continues to create meaningful pathways for youth development and economic inclusion across the Eastern Caribbean.

The Youth Link Programme is designed to provide recent Jr. College graduates with early exposure to the world of work. Through structured on-the-job training, participants gain valuable skills and professional insights that help build confidence and shape career direction. Speaking at the multi territory launch, the Managing Director of Republic Bank (EC) Limited extended a warm welcome to the new apprentices.

“As I reflect on the future of our region, I know that the road ahead requires more than ambition. It requires a mindset built on excellence, adaptability, and integrity. In an ever-changing world, your work ethic will be your compass. Your values - the way you treat others, your attention to quality, and your sense of responsibility - will all define your success far more than any job title.”

The 2025 programme offers hands-on experience across various departments at Republic Bank branches and includes mentorship and training in areas such as customer engagement, business etiquette, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.

Senior Manager, Human Resources for Republic Bank EC Limited, Natashua Charles also addressed the apprentices during the ceremony. “This programme isn’t just about getting work experience. It’s about growing, learning, and starting to build your future with purpose. Like anything else in life, there’ll be new challenges. Navigating new environments and connecting with new people may take you out of your comfort zone.”

She also thanked parents and guardians for their continued support, noting the vital role they play in the development of young people entering the workforce. The launch also featured remarks from a former Youth Linker of the 2024 Cohort. Marcellus Lee. Lee, who is now an employee of Republic Bank EC Dominica, shared how the experience helped shape his future.

“For the duration of the program, I experienced something special. I wasn’t just given a desk and a to-do list. I was given mentorship, encouragement, and trust. I was welcomed into a professional space and treated not just as a student but as someone capable of contributing meaningfully. Through every team meeting, project deadline, and even the occasional mistake, I learned lessons that can’t be taught in a classroom. I learned how to carry myself with confidence, how to communicate with clarity.”

The Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme reflects the Bank’s broader commitment to nurturing potential, supporting youth empowerment, and contributing to the social and economic resilience of the communities it serves.

Republic Bank welcomes the 2025 cohort to the Youth Link Programme and looks forward to supporting their journey over the coming weeks.