Cayman Finance, the Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs and the Ministry of Financial Services, Commerce and Environment have joined forces to create a pathway for high-performing students into the Cayman Islands Financial Services Industry, resulting in job-ready and engaged young professionals. The programme will support up to 50 Caymanian year 12 students from the Government dual-enrolment programme.

The Cayman Islands is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading international financial centres. Industry and Government leaders recognise and fully support the potential for growing Cayman’s future capacity through increased local employment and improved skills and capability. This new initiative will create early engagement and access to the Cayman Islands Financial Services Industry for relevant students, helping to build a core of globally competitive young professionals. Jude Scott CEO of Cayman Finance has spearheaded the new initiative, to help engage students early in their career paths:

“Cayman Finance believes strongly that developing close links with appropriate students and aiding their career progression in the formative stages is incredibly important to building the next generation of employees for Cayman’s financial services industry. We have a world-class financial industry so investing in world-class performance, capability and capacity is the right action to be taking.”

All the programme partners are aligned in the ethos behind the programme – that early recognition of key talent and support for students is a sustainable plan, worthy of significant investment. Hon. Tara Rivers, Minister of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs has been on board with the programme since its inception.

“Promoting public-private partnerships in the education and training of our young people is something that I have long advocated for, and is especially relevant when considering the largest industry in the country. Enhancing potential future employment prospects for students in tandem with and by educating them on the various aspects of the financial industry through classroom instruction and targeted work experience makes perfect sense”, she said.

The Hon. Wayne Panton, Minister for Financial Services, added, “While a number of firms have long supported educational experiences for our students, this initiative is the first to harness the collective strength of our financial services industry. This is why my Ministry is pleased to contribute to this joint programme. It’s a positive step forward in improving opportunities for young Caymanians, and in teaching them how to be ‘job-ready’ and ‘world-class’.

The initiative involves three elements, including in-class workshops, one-on-one coaching and a paid work experience placement.

The pilot scheme will begin in May 2015 and run for 12 weeks. If successful, the initiative will be expanded next year.

For more information about Cayman Finance, please visit www.caymanfinance.ky
Photo Caption: Jude Scott, Cayman Finance CEO; Hon Tara Rivers, Minister of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs; Hon Wayne Panton, Minister of Financial Services, Commerce and Environment