Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
Wednesday, 26 June 2019 02:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Brandix Apparel Ltd., Fonterra Brands Lanka Ltd., and John Keells Holdings PLC held the orientation for 15 diverse, talented interns yesterday at Hatch, Colombo, formally commencing the FastTrack Summer Internship Program 2019.
First introduced in 2011, the ‘FastTrack’ Summer Internship Program returned in April to provide 15 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 cooperative 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 program 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.
John Keells Holdings Chairman Krishan Balendra in his message said: “Over the years, the FastTrack internship program 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, Sri Lanka and Indian Subcontinent Managing Director and Fonterra Future Dairy Ltd. Chairman Sunil Sethi 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 program 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, Brandix Group CEO Ashroff Omar said: “Partnering the FastTrack Summer Internship Program 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 program.”
During the powerful six-week program, 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.
