Fasttrack Summer Internship Programme re-launched to empower young talent
Brandix Apparel Limited, Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. and John Keells Holdings PLC held the orientation for fifteen diverse, talented interns yesterday at Hatch, Colombo, formally commencing the Fast Track Summer Internship Programme 2019.
First introduced in 2011, the ‘Fasttrack’ Summer Internship Programme returned in April 2019 to provide fifteen selected undergraduates a unique opportunity to participate in a six-week internship at diverse companies spanning Sri Lanka’s largest listed conglomerate, a world-class dairy co-operative and an inspired pioneer of total apparel solutions.
This year, the three partner companies began a search to find talented undergraduates with the ability to think innovatively and challenge the status quo, who would then embark on an inspiring one-month learning journey.
The programme offered an online video résumé format via a brand-new dedicated website www.fastrack.lk and a total digital application process including Skype interviews. This provided applicants the opportunity to present their authentic selves, be creative and demonstrate agility in facing a real-time interview online.
At the interactive orientation session today, the selected interns were provided a platform to engage with one another and hear first-hand about the internship experience from former ‘Fasttrackers’.
Additionally, the HR Heads of the three companies stressed on the fact that one of the primary objectives of Fasttrack 2019 is to retain young talent and bring their unique strengths and talents back to Sri Lanka to support the nation’s progress in the future.
Krishan Balendra – Chairman John Keells Holdings PLC in his message said, “Over the years, the Fasttrack internship programme has enabled us to meet and engage closely with our future corporate leaders - undergraduates from local and foreign universities, and this year will be no different! We are confident that this internship will provide first-hand experience of the career opportunities in the Sri Lankan corporate sector and how you can contribute towards improving our economy, driving innovation and empowering our Nation.”
The interns will receive exclusive exposure to the industry sectors of Leisure, Real Estate, Consumer Foods, Retail, Manufacturing, Information Technology and Transportation, which will enable them to learn and understand the operations of each area, first-hand.
Commenting on the partnership, Sunil Sethi – Managing Director, Sri Lanka and Indian Subcontinent, Chairman Fonterra Future Dairy Pvt Ltd said, “Together with our Fasttrack partners, we are committed to preparing and strengthening the selected interns. We offer the interns a unique learning opportunity, which will help to prepare them for the exciting careers ahead of them. The programme also gives them a chance to build their corporate network and leverage their experience to give back to our country and communities.”
They will be guided and mentored by professionals and given a platform to interact with prominent business personalities and immerse themselves in practical work assignments that connect their academic backgrounds to real career experiences.
In his message, Ashroff Omar – Group
Chief Executive Officer of the Brandix Group said, “Partnering the Fasttrack Summer Internship Programme gives us the opportunity to facilitate a well-structured, hands-on learning experience together with our partners that will inspire and mould selected undergraduates to become agile corporate athletes in the future. We urge you to use the experience to your advantage to gain a better understanding of the diverse industries involved and expand your horizons over the course of this programme.”
During the powerful six-week programme, interns will receive the opportunity to enhance their soft skills, covering areas such as business etiquette, leadership and presentation skills through directed workshops, and develop critical team-working capabilities through a project management experience.