Cayman Finance graduate programme participants complete industry training

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.

The programme, which launched in October 2025 with 15 participants, paired Caymanian graduates with small and medium sized financial services firms in the jurisdiction, including Catalyst, Conyers, Dentons, Global Captive Management, Greenlight Re, Grant Thornton Specialist Services, Strategic Risk Solutions, IQ EQ, Moore Professional Services, Rawlinson & Hunter, RF Bank & Trust, Teneo, Trident Trust, Waystone and Willis Towers Watson.

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.  

The programme also featured weekly "Fireside Chat" sessions, where industry professionals from leading firms shared their career journeys and offered guidance to the graduates. Guest speakers included Claire O’Dea from Grant Thornton, Michele Bahadur from the Ministry of Financial Services and Commerce, Staci Scott from KPMG, Dan Scott, formerly of EY, Stephanie Adolphus and Oneka Thompson from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), Nadine Hayle and Kelsie McLean from Dart, Appolina Winton from Appleby, Max Pairaudeau and Dominic Owens from Deloitte, Richard Maparura from RF Bank & Trust, Luis Powery from Horizons Global and James Finn from The Rec Room.

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. We're thrilled to see these graduates complete the programme's training component. The diverse topics covered were chosen to help them become well-rounded professionals who are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of working in financial services."

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 CIMA, 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.

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 in 2026, with applications opening in early 2026 for graduates completing university that year.

Cayman Finance also runs the LEAD Programme, which provides high school students with work experience in the financial services industry. Nearly 400 Caymanian students have completed the LEAD Programme since its launch in 2015. Of the approximately 250 students who participated before the pandemic, at least 85 have gone on to build careers in the finance industry, working in roles across legal services, accounting, compliance, fund services, insurance and other sectors. Applications for the 2026 LEAD Programme will open in February 2026.