Up to 50 qualified Caymanian high school students will have an opportunity to take part in a structured combination of industry workshops and mentorship with experienced financial services professionals, followed by a four-week paid work placement at a Cayman Finance member firm.
Cayman Finance announced in a press release on 27 Feb. that it has opened applications for the 2026 LEAD (Learn, Educate, Apply, Develop) Programme, the organisation’s flagship work experience initiative connecting Caymanian high school students with careers in the financial services industry.
“The LEAD Programme is about creating opportunities for young Caymanians,” said Danielle Hennings, associate director of community engagement at Cayman Finance, said: “It can be a first step to building a successful career in financial services. The programme provides students with work experience, confidence, professional networks, and a clearer sense of where they can go in financial services.”
The programme is built around three components that prepare students for workplace expectations while helping them explore career options. The workshops component, which takes place May through June 2026, involves eight one-hour interactive sessions delivered by industry professionals from member firms, covering career paths in the industry and essential workplace skills, including CV development and interview preparation.
The mentorship component, which also takes place May through June 2026, has each student paired with an experienced financial services professional for one-on-one coaching and career insights.
The final component is a paid work placement between July and August 2026. This four-week paid placement at a Cayman Finance member firm gives students hands-on experience in a professional office environment.
The programme is open to Caymanian students in Year 12 of the government dual-enrolment programme, Year 12 in British system private schools, or Grade 11 in American system private schools. Students must meet academic requirements, including maintaining at least a 2.5 grade point average or predicted grades of three C or above passes, and must provide proof of Caymanian status and health insurance coverage. Good attendance and behaviour records are also required.
“For many students, the LEAD Programme is their first real introduction to a professional environment, and that experience can be transformative,” said Minister for Education and Training Rolston Anglin. “It builds self-assurance, provides direction, and helps young Caymanians recognise that there is a place for them in our financial services industry. As Government, our responsibility is to ensure those pathways are available, and that our students are ready to step into them.”
Since its inception, the LEAD Programme has provided nearly 400 students with the tools, guidance and practical experience needed to succeed in Cayman’s financial services sector. Of the approximately 250 who participated before the pandemic, at least 85 have gone on to build careers in the financial services industry.
“The LEAD Programme reflects the kind of investment we must continue to make in our young people,” said Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Commerce André Ebanks. “For more than a decade, it has helped open doors for Caymanian students, providing them with meaningful exposure to one of our country’s most important industries.
“This strong public-private partnership with Cayman Finance ensures our education system remains closely aligned with workforce opportunities and the long-term sustainability of our financial services industry.”
Students interested in more information or applying should visit this website. The deadline for submissions is 27 March 2026.