Participants in the inaugural Cayman Finance Graduate Training Programme have successfully completed a comprehensive 12-week training schedule designed to provide the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the financial services industry.
In a press release, Cayman Finance said the programme, which launched in October 2025 with 15 participants, paired Caymanian graduates with small and medium sized financial services firms in the jurisdiction.
Over 12 weeks, participants attended weekly workshops covering both technical industry knowledge and essential professional skills.
The curriculum included an introduction to Cayman’s financial services industry and regulatory landscape, soft skills development in areas such as communication and teamwork, personal effectiveness training, and specialised sessions on banking, trusts, investment funds, insurance and reinsurance, fintech and virtual assets, and financial crime prevention, said the release.
The programme also featured weekly ‘Fireside Chat’ sessions, where industry professionals from leading firms shared their career journeys and offered guidance to the graduates.
Opening doors for Caymanians
Danielle Hennings, associate director of community engagement at Cayman Finance, said: “This programme is about opening doors for Caymanians and helping them to build successful careers in the industry. The participants have gained a network of industry peers and senior mentors that have set them up for long-term success.”
The training was facilitated by the Cayman Finance team along with industry experts, including Giannie McLaughlin from Connect by Nova, Malika Chow from RBC, Justine Plenkiewicz from Claritas, Rayford Britton from Cayman Islands Monetary Authority and Glenda McTaggart from Dart.
The programme also incorporated wellness and mental health support through a session with The Wellness Centre. In addition to the weekly workshops, each graduate was paired with an independent industry mentor to provide one-on-one guidance throughout their first year in the workforce.
The Graduate Training Programme addresses challenges faced by small and medium-sized financial services firms in hiring and training recent graduates, while providing Caymanian university graduates with structured pathways into the industry.
With most Cayman Finance member firms employing fewer than 10 people on average, the programme enables smaller companies to access Caymanian talent and reduces the costs and complexity associated with recruiting and training.
Cayman Finance said, the programme has increased opportunities for Caymanians in financial services and sits alongside existing industry programmes that are estimated to offer roles to around 40 graduates each year.
Cayman Finance plans to launch the programme again this year, with applications opening in early 2026 for graduates completing university.