The STEP Apprenticeship Programme is set to create a structured pathway for Sri Lankan school leavers to enter the corporate workforce, combining practical workplace exposure, professional development and nationally recognised qualifications.
STEP Apprenticeship Programme connects school leavers with corporate careers and NVQ qualifications
Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) to launch the School to Employment Programme (STEP), a structured apprenticeship initiative aimed at helping young people transition from education into meaningful careers.
The programme is designed particularly for individuals who have completed their GCE Advanced Level examinations and are seeking an opportunity to gain practical experience while developing the skills required to navigate the corporate environment. By combining workplace learning with formal training, the initiative seeks to narrow the gap between classroom education and the expectations of employers.
For many school leavers, the transition from education to employment can be challenging. Academic qualifications provide an important foundation, but employers increasingly look for practical knowledge, communication abilities, workplace discipline and an understanding of professional processes. STEP is intended to address these requirements by giving young entrants direct exposure to a corporate setting.
Under the partnership, CDB will provide opportunities for selected trainees to gain hands-on experience while becoming familiar with workplace culture and professional responsibilities. The programme also provides a structured platform for participants to develop their capabilities and understand the expectations associated with corporate careers.
An important element of the STEP Apprenticeship Programme is its focus on nationally recognised NVQ qualifications. This gives participants an opportunity to complement their workplace experience with formal skills recognition, potentially strengthening their employability and providing a more clearly defined foundation for future career development.
The initiative also supports CDB’s broader objective of building a sustainable entry-level talent pipeline. Rather than viewing apprenticeships solely as short-term training opportunities, the programme is designed to attract and develop young talent while creating a pathway for successful trainees to potentially integrate into the workforce.
Chief Support Services Officer at CDB, Nayanthi Kodagoda, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people entering the professional world.
“At CDB, we believe in nurturing fresh talent and creating meaningful pathways for young people to step confidently into the corporate world,” Kodagoda said. She added that the programme goes beyond training by providing practical exposure, professional development and nationally recognised qualifications that can contribute to participants’ future careers.
The partnership between CDB and NAITA also highlights the value of collaboration between the private sector and national skills-development institutions. While businesses understand the competencies required in the workplace, institutions such as NAITA bring expertise in apprenticeship systems, vocational training and industry-based skills development.
This model can play an important role in youth empowerment, particularly at a time when helping young people move from education into productive employment remains an important component of Sri Lanka’s economic development. Providing early exposure to professional environments can help participants build confidence, understand career expectations and make more informed decisions about their long-term professional paths.
NAITA is Sri Lanka’s premier institution for industry-based apprenticeship and skills development. Established under the National Apprenticeship Act No. 49 of 1971 and strengthened through the Tertiary and Vocational Education Act No. 20 of 1990, the authority provides apprenticeship, on-the-job and industrial training while conducting National Trade Tests and Recognition of Prior Learning assessments.
Its collaboration with CDB brings together NAITA’s vocational and industry-training expertise with the practical requirements of a corporate financial services environment. Such partnerships can help ensure that training remains closely connected to actual workplace needs and emerging employment opportunities.
For CDB, the initiative forms part of its wider commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development. As a Sri Lankan non-banking financial institution, the company provides financial solutions to individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses while seeking to create a broader social and economic impact.
For participants, however, the significance of the STEP Apprenticeship Programme is likely to be measured less by the institutional partnership and more by the opportunities it creates. Practical experience, professional exposure and recognised qualifications can provide school leavers with a stronger starting point as they pursue employment and build their careers.
The CDB-NAITA partnership therefore represents an approach that connects education, vocational development and employment more closely. By giving young people an opportunity to learn within a professional environment while working towards recognised qualifications, STEP aims to create a more practical bridge between completing school and entering the world of work.